Patna: In a significant reshuffle ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, the Congress high command has removed Akhilesh Singh from the post of state president, appointing party MLA Rajesh Kumar in his place.
Rajesh Kumar, a legislator from Kutumba in Aurangabad, hails from the Dalit community—a move widely seen as an attempt to restore the party’s weakening Dalit vote base. The Congress has been struggling to retain its traditional support among Dalits, particularly after the rise of leaders like Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi within the NDA, who have drawn sections of the community away from the party.
The decision to replace Singh follows growing internal discontent within the state unit. Party insiders suggest that factionalism and lack of cohesion under Singh’s leadership led to his removal. Under Rajesh’s leadership, the party is expected to adopt a new strategy to consolidate its position in Bihar’s evolving political landscape.
Rajesh’s appointment is also linked to earlier efforts by Bhakt Charan Das, the former Bihar in-charge, who had pushed for his elevation. With elections approaching, the Congress hopes that this leadership change will help in reviving its prospects in the state.
