Just before the Bihar assembly elections-2025, the state Congress has been hit by a massive political upheaval. With the release of the party's fourth candidate list, widespread discontent and rebellion have intensified in the state over ticket distribution. From current MLAs to former party workers, everyone has accused Rahul Gandhi's trusted leaders of ticket selling and arbitrariness. This has not only raised questions about the Congress's internal unity but also threatens to deepen the crisis in the Grand Alliance's seat-sharing arrangements.
Serious Questions Raised Against Leaders Close to Rahul Gandhi
The Bihar Congress is currently led by leaders close to Rahul Gandhi. Among them, Krishna Allavaru has been appointed state in-charge, Rajesh Ram as state president, and Shahnawaz Alam and Devendra Yadav as co-in-charges.
These leaders were entrusted with the responsibility of rebuilding the Congress party in Bihar, but now, after the ticket distribution, they are facing allegations of rigging and factionalism within the party.
Senior Congress leaders allege that the tickets of many old and influential leaders were denied, giving way to "parachute candidates" with no prior connection to the region.
Ticket distribution rages – even allegations of "ticket selling"
Late Sunday night, Congress released its list of candidates for 60 seats for the Bihar Assembly elections. The list sparked outrage among many leaders.
The denial of the ticket to former minister and MLA Mohammad Afaq Alam further fueled the controversy. Afaq Alam openly alleged that "tickets in Congress are now being awarded through bargaining, not on merit basis."
A video of him has gone viral on social media, expressing his displeasure while speaking to state president Rajesh Ram and in-charge Krishna Allavaru. He said that by denying tickets to three-time winning candidates, the party has weakened its position.
Tension escalates in the Grand Alliance
The impact of the Congress ticket dispute is now being felt within the Grand Alliance (India Block). Several seats have become a direct contest between the Congress and the RJD. Congress and RJD candidates are facing off in Lalganj, Vaishali, Rajapakar, Rosera, Bihar Sharif, Bachhwara, Gaurabauram, and Kahalgaon.
Disagreements over seat sharing have weakened the Grand Alliance's strategy, while the NDA has already announced its candidates and entered the electoral fray.
Discontent within the Congress "against its own people"
Many senior leaders of the Bihar Congress are deeply upset with the party's ticket distribution this time. For example, senior Congress leader Tauqeer Alam has been a candidate for the Pranpur seat for several previous elections, but this time his constituency has been changed and he has been given the ticket from the Barari seat.
For the first time, in the Jale assembly seat, the Congress has broken tradition by giving the ticket to Rishi Mishra, a recent joiner, instead of a Muslim candidate. Such decisions have caused deep dissatisfaction among party workers. Local workers believe that by bringing in "outsiders," Congress has weakened its grassroots hold.
Questions Raised About Rahul Gandhi's Strategy
Rahul Gandhi had expressed confidence in the new team to strengthen the party in Bihar. His goal was to revitalize the organization through young and active leadership. However, in the current circumstances, this strategy appears to be having the opposite effect. With the state in-charge and responsible organizational leaders facing allegations of indiscipline, factionalism, and ticket dealing, Congress's credibility is at stake. Political analysts believe that if Congress fails to win the trust of its own workers, it will further jeopardize the party's dream of reviving the party in Bihar.
Leaders' Statements Escalate Controversy
Congress Legislative Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan, MP Pappu Yadav, and other senior leaders have also raised questions about the transparency of ticket distribution. Some leaders alleged that "closeness over merit" was prioritized in ticket selection. Meanwhile, a faction within the party has demanded Rahul Gandhi's intervention to ensure an impartial investigation.
Prakash Kumar Pandey