Patna: Congress suffered a setback on Tuesday evening after veteran leader Dr Shakeel Ahmad resigned from the party’s primary membership, hours after the second phase of the Bihar assembly elections 2025 concluded. Ahmad, a former Union minister and a prominent face of the party in the state, said he was stepping down due to “family reasons” and long-standing differences with certain leaders.
In a letter addressed to the Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge, Ahmad requested that the party treat the communication as his formal resignation. He clarified that while he was withdrawing from active membership, he remained committed to the party’s ideology.
‘No plans to join any other party’
Ahmad stressed that his departure should not be seen as a prelude to joining another political organisation.
“I have no intention of joining any other party. Like my elders, I continue to hold unwavering faith in the principles and policies of the Congress,” he wrote.
Ahmad also recalled an earlier letter sent on 16 April 2023, in which he informed the leadership that he would not contest elections in the future. He noted that all three of his sons live in Canada and have no interest in pursuing a political career, adding that this made long-term political engagement “impractical”.
Resignation delayed until after polling
Ahmad said he had made up his mind to resign much earlier but waited until voting was completed so as not to harm the party’s prospects.
“I did not want any negative message to go out before polling, nor did I want the Congress to lose even five votes because of me,” he wrote.
He also mentioned that health issues prevented him from taking part in the party’s campaign this election cycle. Despite stepping away, he expressed hope that the Congress would improve its tally and that the alliance would form a strong government in the state.
A long family association with the party
Ahmad referenced his family’s deep political ties, noting that both his father and grandfather had built their careers within the Congress. He said he would continue to remain a “well-wisher and lifelong supporter” of the party, even promising that his “last vote” would be cast in its favour.
