PATNA, Oct. 23 -- Former Rajasthan chief minister and Congress election observer for the Bihar assembly polls, Ashok Gehlot, on Wednesday announced that the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) alliance was fully united and would contest the upcoming elections together, dispelling rumours of internal rifts. Speaking after meetings with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav at the residence of former Bihar CM Rabri Devi, Gehlot said all outstanding issues would be clarified at a press conference on Thursday. Accompanied by All India Congress Committee in-charge for Bihar, Krishna Allavaru, Gehlot engaged in day-long discussions with the RJD leadership to resolve seat sharing disputes within the MGB, which comprises the RJD, Congress, Left parties (CPI, CPI-M, CPI-ML Liberation) and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). "The MGB is fighting the elections as a united front. There are minor issues on 5-7 seats due to local dynamics, and friendly contests may occur in a few constituencies, but this is not unusual in a large alliance," Gehlot said, dismissing speculations of discord. The talks focused on addressing overlapping candidatures, with the RJD announcing 143 candidates, Congress fielding nominees for 61 seats (down from 70 in 2020), and Left claiming around 33 seats. This has led to direct clashes in 8-12 constituencies, including six seats where Congress and RJD candidates are pitted against each other, such as Vaishali (Congress's Sanjeev Singh vs. RJD's Ajay Kumar Kushwaha), Narkatiaganj, Sikandra, Kahalgaon, Sultanganj and Warsaliganj. Congress is also contesting against CPI candidates in four seats, including Bachhwara, Rajapakar, Bihar Sharif and Karghar, with nomination withdrawal deadlines lapsed for first phase on November 6. Besides, VIP is clashing with RJD in two seats (Chainpur and Babubarhi), while the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), an INDIA bloc partner, withdrew from six seats, accusing RJD of "political cunningness." In a post on X, Gehlot said: "Today, I had a highly positive meeting with AICC Bihar in-charge Shri Krishna Allavaru, Shri Lalu Prasad, and Shri Tejashwi Yadav. The INDIA alliance in Bihar is completely united and fighting the elections strongly. All issues will be clarified at tomorrow's MGB press conference. The BJP has sponsored a campaign to create discord within the MGB and vitiate the atmosphere, portraying a false narrative of a split. In 243 seats, local equations may lead to friendly fights on 5-7 seats, a negligible number hyped by the media. Bihar wants change, and people understand that an MGB victory is in the state's and nation's interest." Tejashwi, the MGB's de facto CM candidate, echoed Gehlot's sentiments, denying any disputes and urging allies to withdraw candidates where RJD has staked claims, given its position as the alliance's largest partner. The disarray has drawn criticism from NDA leaders like LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, who mocked the MGB's "friendly fights" as a boon for the ruling coalition. With nominations closing soon, Thursday's press conference will be critical in determining whether the MGB can resolve these conflicts and present a cohesive front ahead of the November 6 and 11 polls....