Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 24: Differences have surfaced within the Congress over the future of its political alliance with Lalu Prasad-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar, with all six Congress MLAs from the state opposing continuation of the tie-up.
The issue came up during a high-level meeting held at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on Friday. According to sources, Kharge sought the views of party office-bearers and Bihar MLAs on whether the Congress should continue with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan or contest future elections independently in the state.
All six Congress MLAs told the leadership that the alliance had adversely affected the party’s image and significantly reduced its seat tally. They argued that continuing the tie-up would further weaken the Congress in Bihar.
However, the meeting also saw dissenting views from some party office-bearers. Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh, who is considered close to RJD chief Lalu Prasad, reportedly supported continuation of the alliance, calling it beneficial and necessary for the Congress in Bihar’s political landscape.
In the last Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress contested 61 seats as part of the Opposition Mahagathbandhan. The RJD, the largest partner in the alliance, contested 143 seats but won only 25. In contrast, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United), secured a commanding victory with 202 seats.
The six Congress MLAs — Surendra Prasad (Valmiki Nagar), Abhishek Ranjan (Chanpatia), Manoj Biswas (Forbesganj), Abidur Rahman (Araria), Qamrul Hoda (Kishanganj) and Manohar Prasad Singh (Manihari) — were summoned to Delhi amid speculation that some of them might defect. The meeting was convened to dispel these rumours.
After the meeting, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal dismissed the reports of possible defections. “There were rumours that all our MLAs from Bihar were deserting the party. However, all of them were present at the meeting in Delhi. These reports are completely baseless,” he said.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was also present at the meeting. Speculation about defections had intensified after the Bihar MLAs skipped a feast organised by the party at Sadaquat Ashram ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival.