Patna/ New Delhi: The internal discord within Bihar Congress has surfaced following a meeting between Rahul Gandhi and the state leadership in New Delhi on Tuesday evening, with conflicting statements emerging over RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav’s position as the chief ministerial face of the Grand Alliance.
On Tuesday, Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru distanced himself from endorsing the RJD leader as the coalition’s CM face. However, a day later, former Bihar Congress president and party MP Akhilesh Singh contradicted this stance, stating in Delhi that Tejashwi remains the undisputed leader of the alliance.
“There is no confusion. Tejashwi Yadav is the leader of the Grand Alliance. RJD is the strongest force in Bihar, and their candidates will win more seats,” Singh said in an interview with a private news channel. He dismissed speculations of Congress contesting separately, affirming that the party high command has decided to fight the elections within the alliance framework.
“How can anyone deny Tejashwi Yadav’s role? Seat-sharing discussions are routine among alliance partners. Where Congress has strong candidates, we will seek those seats, but we are fully committed to the alliance,” Singh added.
Following the Delhi meeting, Allavaru arrived in Patna on Wednesday and reiterated that the party’s immediate priority is to strengthen the INDIA alliance in Bihar. “We held extensive discussions with Bihar Congress leaders in Delhi. The Congress party has formulated a strategy, which will be made clear in the coming days,” he said at a party event.
Hisua MLA Neetu Singh, who also attended the meeting, backed Tejashwi’s leadership. “When we are in the Grand Alliance and Tejashwi Yadav is its CM face, he is also our leader,” she said.
Meanwhile, speaking at Patna airport after his return from Delhi, Allavaru maintained that the Congress is focused on internal unity and will work collectively to strengthen its position in the state.
