PATNA, Sept. 28 -- Congress party, a key and now more assertive partner of the INDIA bloc, seems to be realigning the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) dynamics by challenging the dominance of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) which has so far held solitary sway over reins of the Opposition in the state, observe analysts. Historically a junior partner reliant on the RJD's goodwill, the Congress is now steering key decisions, from seat allocation to coalition partnerships and the selection of a chief ministerial candidate, much to the discomfiture of RJD's rank and files. This transformation was vividly showcased in the Voter Adhikar Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, where Tejashwi Yadav's presence was notably eclipsed. The Congress also unveiled its pledge in a Patna hotel on the sidelines of the CWC meeting, to go all out to woo the extremely backward castes (EBCs), who constitute 36% of the electors. The pledge envisages breaking the reservation barrier from 50%, quota in the government contract and constitution of an authority to supervise if the benefits reached the target sections in their true spirit. Although it was a Congress event, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav along with key leaders of the INDIA bloc participated. Former director of AN Sinha Institute of Social Sciences DM Diwakar said that Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has emerged as a powerful leader after Bharat Jodo Yatra, capable of challenging the might of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Even legacy-wise, Rahul Gandhi has larger acceptance," said Diwakar, adding that it was because of Rahul's growing stature in Indian politics that he is dominating the INDIA bloc strategic front. Acknowledging the shift in political dynamics of the Grand Alliance, former Patna University professor and political analyst Nawal Kishore Chaudhary said that the RJD, under Lalu Prasad and later his son Tejashwi Yadav, used to dictate terms in alliances. In the 2015 Assembly polls, for instance, the GA saw RJD contesting 101 seats while allotting Congress just 41, many of which were unfamiliar territories for the oldest party....