Patna: Factional tensions within the Bihar unit of the Congress have intensified after the party expelled two senior leaders for six years, citing indiscipline and anti-party activities.
The State Congress Disciplinary Committee announced the expulsion of former MLA Chhatrapati Yadav and former Research Department chair and former spokesperson Anand Madhav from the party’s primary membership. The move comes amid growing signs of internal discord within the state organisation.
In an order issued by the disciplinary committee’s chair, Kapildev Prasad Yadav, the party said both leaders had repeatedly deviated from the party line and engaged in activities detrimental to organisational discipline. The decision, the order stated, was taken after consultation with the state in-charge and the state president.
“The dignity of the organisation and the core principles of the Congress cannot be compromised under any circumstances,” the order said, describing the action as necessary in view of the seriousness of the matter.
However, the expulsions were swiftly challenged by the two leaders, who questioned the legitimacy of the disciplinary committee itself.
They argued that the panel had not been constituted in accordance with the party constitution and therefore lacked the authority to expel an All India Congress Committee (AICC) member. According to them, party rules require the disciplinary committee to be formed with the signature of the AICC general secretary (organisation) and to comprise five members — provisions they claim were not followed in the current case.
Both leaders further contended that the nomination and expulsion of an AICC member can be decided only at the national level and not by a state unit. They accused the state leadership of taking steps that could weaken the Congress’s support base in Bihar.
