Begusarai (Bihar) [India], October 23 (ANI): Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday called Mahagathbandhan 'thugbandhan', hours after the opposition alliance announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial face for the Bihar assembly polls to be held on November 6 and November 11.

'This is not astonishing anymore. Lalu Yadav has very adamantly announced his son as the CM candidate. This is not a 'gathbandhan' but a 'thugbandhan'... Nitish Kumar is the NDA's CM face,' Singh told ANI.

This announcement was made at a joint press conference of the Mahagathbandhan, where senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot stated that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav will be the Chief Ministerial candidate for the assembly poll.

'He is a young person. He has a long future and the public will support him,' Gehlot said.

Gehlot said that people of Bihar want change as they struggle with multiple issues, including unemployment. He alleged that the way the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the Centre is operating is a 'threat to democracy'.

'It is obvious to get worried about the condition of the country and the state. The situation is serious. The way the NDA government operates is a threat to democracy. There is polarisation. Nobody knows in which direction the country is heading. If you criticise, you are sent to jail - it doesn't matter if you are a journalist or activist. It is our responsibility to keep in mind what the country wants. The country is watching Bihar. The issue of unemployment remains. People want change,' he said.

The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Mahagathbandhan.

The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)