Patna, Dec 1 (UNI) In an effort to remain a relevant force in Bihar politics after its embarrassing defeat in the Assembly elections, the Congress has decided to strengthen its organisation from the district level down to the panchayat level — a move that has irked RJD leaders.
The decision was taken at a meeting held on Monday at the state Congress headquarters, Sadaqat Ashram in Patna. AICC Bihar In-charge Krishna Allavaru, State President Rajesh Ram, former CLP leader Dr. Shakeel Ahmad Khan, all six newly elected party MLAs, district presidents, heads of frontal organisations and senior leaders attended the meeting.
Earlier in Delhi, senior Congress leaders had held a review meeting with Bihar Congress leaders, newly elected MLAs and candidates to assess the election results and organisational setbacks.
The Congress concluded that its alliance with the RJD did not yield any significant advantage. Rather, it weakened the party organisationally.
Leaders argued that the party’s vote bank did not grow because the Congress was seen merely as a follower of the RJD. They noted that in 2010, when the Congress contested alone, it won four seats, while this time, despite being part of a seven-party alliance, it managed to secure only six.
Rajesh Ram announced that a large contingent of party workers from Bihar will participate in the rally being organised in New Delhi on 14 December against what he termed “vote theft carried out with the collusion of the Election Commission and the BJP.”
To mobilise workers across the state, senior leaders will tour all districts, visiting block-level units and meeting party cadres. The initiative aims to boost the morale of workers demoralised by the defeat and revive the energy generated during the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’. Leaders will also focus on building a stronger cadre base to revitalise the organisation.
According to Congress leaders, the alliance with the RJD resulted in several key regions being neglected. In many RJD-dominated areas, the Congress organisation is reportedly on the verge of collapse, with party workers scarce on the ground.
“We will work hard to strengthen the party and restore its organisational structure across the state,” Rajesh Ram said.
The Congress’s renewed push has upset RJD leaders. On Saturday, RJD leader Mangani Lal Mandal criticised the Congress for blaming the RJD for its losses and questioned the party’s support base in Bihar.
Launching a direct attack, Mandal claimed that whatever seats or votes the Congress secured in the Assembly elections were due to the RJD’s support.
“They will realise their real strength only when they go independent,” he said, asserting that the RJD’s strong support base benefits its allies.
Responding on Monday, Congress President Rajesh Ram said the alliance with the RJD was not organisational but purely electoral. The Congress, he said, will now strengthen itself by expanding its organisation on its own terms.
