PATNA, Sept. 17 -- In a strategic push to fast-track preparations for the upcoming Bihar elections, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Tuesday reconstituted the Pradesh Election Committee (PEC) of Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC). This 39-member panel, notified by AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, plays a crucial role in pinpointing viable seats and curating shortlists of potential candidates for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) -bloc gearing up to confront the dominant National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in what promises to be a transformative clash within Bihar's volatile political arena. The timing of the move aligns with escalating seat-sharing discussions in INDIA bloc, where the Congress is adopting a measured strategy by aiming for 55-62 constituencies to strengthen the group's overall chances of victory, all while maneuvering around overlapping demands from partners like RJD and various Left outfits. This step highlights the party's resolve to sidestep the mistakes of 2020, when it fought 70 seats but clinched just 19, hampered by assignments in areas where its presence had faded over decades. Comprising all Bihar Congress MPs, MLAs, MLCs and leaders of affiliated groups as ex-officio members, the committee also features BPCC president Rajesh Ram and legislative party leaders Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Madan Mohan Jha as ex-officio members, fostering a mix of seasoned insight and local outreach. The committee's first meeting, set on Tuesday, was postponed to allow for this formal setup, following an announcement last week by AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru about invigorating BPCC operations. Allavaru highlighted that PEC's recommendations would ignite the concluding phase of seat negotiations among INDIA allies, a dialogue that's already progressing as RJD supremo Lalu Prasad has sought an initial roster of Congress-favoured seats to refine the distribution. A high-ranking Congress figure noted, "We're not pushing for dominance that could destabilise the alliance; we're content with 55-62 seats to integrate entrants like Vikassheel Insaan Party and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, prioritising collective success." This adjustment draws directly from the 2020 experience under the Mahagathbandhan banner where Congress was saddled with dormant constituencies that undermined its efforts. Insiders reveal that while core seat choices are largely settled, minor overlaps persist with RJD and Left claims, but Allavaru has pushed for harmonious settlements, advocating that every partner gets an equitable blend of secure and competitive territories to safeguard unity. Last month's extended session at Tejashwi's home in Patna produced a general agreement, with Rajesh Ram characterising the talks as collaborative. As of now, projections for the INDIA bloc's seat distribution include RJD claiming 122-124 seats as the dominant partner focused on Yadav-Muslim consolidation; Congress eyeing 58-62, down from 2020's 70 to emphasize winnable areas; Left parties (CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML)) pushing for 31-33 amid disputes over 40-45 demands; VIP targeting 20-22 to appeal to Nishad community after switching from the 2020 NDA; RLJP's Pasupati Paras faction settling for 5-7; and JMM aiming for 2-3 border seats despite initial hopes for 7-8. This totals 243, broadening the bloc's social appeal beyond traditional voters. Indications suggest the alliance could finalise divisions by month's end, ahead of the ECI poll timeline reveal. On the same day as the PEC reveal, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav in Patna reiterated that INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate would emerge 'as per the will of Bihar's electorate in good time,' mirroring Congress's preference for postponing such announcements. Nevertheless, Yadav's messaging has intensified lately; in the August 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' spearheaded by Congress, he cast himself as the coalition's frontrunner, lambasting Nitish regime as an imitative outfit lacking originality. From Arrah, surrounded by supporters chanting for the 'true CM', he proclaimed the elections would be waged under his banner across all 243 seats, centering on jobs, domicile policy etc. - issues he says NDA has echoed without substance. This calculated positioning stems from a July coordination panel session where Yadav was named convener. Prominent Congress leaders like Akhilesh Kumar Singh and Kanhaiya Kumar, have endorsed him, steering clear of associations with the 'jungle raj' label tied to Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi....