Congress President Rahul Gandhi talked to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav over phone to save the alliance, sources said on Tuesday. They said the Congress believes it will be able to seal the pact with the RJD and other smaller allies in Bihar, which accounts for 40 Lok Sabha seats.
Polling will be held in seven phases -- on April 11, 18, 23, 29 and on May 6, 12, and 19.
"The RJD wants 21 seats for itself, eight for Congress, five for Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, three for Hindustani Awam Party. It wants to leave the remaining three seats with Vikassheel Insan Party and Left parties," IANS quoted a source in RJD as saying.
Meanwhile, the Congress has already declared it candidates for the 11 Lok Sabha seats.
The twist in the tale is that HAM President Jitan Ram Manjhi also expects five seats to contest the election.
Sources said both - the Congress and the RJD -- are in a tug-of-war situation over Darbhanga and Madhubani parliamentary constituencies.
The RJD wants to field Ali Ashraf Fatima from Darbhanga while the Congress wants to field MP, Kirti Azad. Similarly, the Congress is planning to field Shakil Ahmad from Madhubani while the RJD is in favour of Abdul Bari Siddiqui.
The RJD, according to IANS sources, is little uneasy with the success of Congress' rally in Gandhi Maidan and Priyanka Gandhi's elevation in the party. The RJD has weakened in Lalu's absence. Contrary to this, the entry of Tariq Anwar, Kirti Azad and Lovelys has given a boost to the Congress. Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav is also filling the gaps for the Congress.
In the circumstances, Left parties may not join the 'grand alliance'. For instance, the Communist Party of India (Maoist) has already announced its candidate from Aara seat.
"The big parties of 'grand alliance' should not consider small parties 'less worthy'. Without the help of Left parties, it is impossible to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party," CPI-M General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said.