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Opposition (Political science)

Bihar Assembly Elections: Congress Prospects Weakened by Intra-Alliance Infighting, Discontent Over Former BJP Allies

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Congress party's prospects in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections appear to be weakened by intra-alliance infighting, last-minute withdrawal of candidates from traditional strongholds, and growing discontent over the decision to field several BJP turncoats. Despite initial momentum gained from Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's Voter Adhikar Yatra, the party's campaign momentum has slowed down, with concerns over the selection of candidates. The Opposition Grand Alliance in Bihar, which is hoping to dislodge chief minister Nitish Kumar from power after four consecutive terms, has been riven by public infighting over choice of candidates and seats.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Congress is contesting on 61 seats, but has given tickets to several former BJP allies, causing discontent within the party ranks.
  • The Opposition Grand Alliance has announced Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani as its deputy chief ministerial face.
  • Protests have broken out within the Congress across several regions of Bihar over the alleged allocation of tickets to "non-deserving" candidates and former BJP allies.
  • Several Congress leaders have claimed that former NDA associates were granted party membership just before the nomination process began.
  • The Congress has already started protesting outside Sadaqat Ashram, the headquarters of the Bihar Congress, to protest against senior leaders.
  • The "friendly fights" among Mahagathbandhan allies in seats such as Lalganj, Narkatiaganj, Sultanganj, Vaishali, Kahalgaon, Bachhwara, Kargahar, Biharsharif and Rajapakar has also caused discontent within the Congress ranks over the party's decision to give tickets to former BJP associates.
  • Congress leader Anand Madhab has demanded that the responsibility for Bihar should be given to a political leader, under whose supervision the elections should be conducted.

Statistics:

  • The Opposition Grand Alliance is contesting on 143 seats, with the RJD contesting on 143 seats, the Congress on 61, VIP on 15, the three Left parties on 33, and Indian Inclusive Party on one seat.
  • The number of candidates for the alliance is 253, which is underlining the public tussle for seats and candidates that has weakened the alliance's campaigning.
  • The Congress has given tickets to 17 former BJP allies, out of which 11 were granted party membership just before the nomination process began.

Sources:

  • Hindustan Times
  • Rahul Gandhi's Voter Adhikar Yatra
  • Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
  • Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP)
  • Indian Inclusive Party
  • Bihar Congress
  • Bihar BJP
  • Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi
  • Congress leader Anand Madhab
  • Congress leader Sachin Pilot

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