PATNA, Oct. 16 -- In a strategic move signaling the ramping up of its electoral machinery, the Congress on Wednesday evening distributed official party symbols to at least ten prospective candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. This development comes at a critical juncture in the state's volatile political landscape, where coalition dynamics within the Opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance - comprising Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other partners - continue to shape the battle lines against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The symbols were formally allotted by Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president Rajesh Ram and Congress Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan, shortly after their return from consultations in New Delhi. The ceremony unfolded in the presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Bihar, Krishna Allavaru, underscoring the high-level oversight amid ongoing seat-sharing deliberations. This proactive step highlights Congress's determination to assert its stake in the alliance, particularly on high-stakes constituencies where internal frictions have simmered for weeks. The initial list of allottees reflects a calculated mix of experienced leaders and fresh faces, aimed at bolstering Congress's organizational footprint in diverse regions of Bihar. Key recipients include Shiv Prakash Garib Das (Bachhwara), Anand Shankar (Aurangabad), Awadhesh Kumar Singh (Wazirganj), Pratima Das (Raja Pakar), Trishuldhari Singh (Barbigha), BK Ravi (Rosera), Kaushlendra Kumar alias Chhote Mukhiya (Nalanda), Amita Bhushan (Begusarai), Jitendra Singh (Amarpur) and Lalan Kumar (Sultanganj). Additionally, two leaders - Amit Kumar Tunna (Riga) and Sanjeev Singh (Vaishali)-have already submitted their nomination papers, formalising their candidacies ahead of the pack. Notably, the allocations encompass two flashpoint seats-Vaishali and Bachhwara - which Congress has vociferously claimed during protracted negotiations with RJD and the Communist Party of India (CPI). These constituencies, historically contested terrains with strong socialist legacies, are pivotal for alliance unity and could sway voter sentiment in north Bihar's bipolar contests. The symbol distribution preceded high-stakes discussions at the residence of former CM Rabri Devi, where Congress representatives engaged with RJD heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav. Sources familiar with the parleys indicate that RJD has tentatively greenlit 61 seats to Congress - up from initial demands - while conceding a handful of the disputed ones. This compromise, if finalised, would mark a thaw in relations....