New Delhi/Patna: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi held a four-hour meeting with Bihar Congress leaders in Delhi on Tuesday, strategizing for the 2025 assembly elections. Party leaders emphasized their focus on unseating the BJP in the state, but key questions regarding alliance dynamics, particularly the chief ministerial candidate, remain unanswered.
After the meeting, Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru said, “Strategy was discussed on how to remove the BJP from power in Bihar.” However, when asked whether Tejashwi Prasad Yadav would be the chief ministerial face of the alliance, he maintained that the decision would be made collectively by the INDIA bloc. “When the alliance sits, there will be discussions on seat-sharing and the CM face. A joint decision will be taken,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi reportedly assured Bihar Congress leaders of his commitment to the state, saying he would visit whenever needed. Party insiders suggest he could travel to Bihar in early April and is expected to join Kanhaiya Kumar’s yatra.
State Congress president Rajesh Ram ruled out any major realignment within the ruling grand alliance (Mahagathbandhan) in Bihar. “We will contest the 2025 assembly elections by remaining in the grand alliance,” he said, signaling continued support for the current coalition structure.
However, a key takeaway from the meeting was Congress’s decision to refrain from directly attacking the JD(U) and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, instead keeping its focus on the BJP. Rajesh Ram accused the BJP of “stealing power” in Bihar and emphasized that the Congress would work on a strategy to remove it from government.
This was the first major meeting after the recent reshuffle in Bihar Congress, including the removal of Akhilesh Singh. Sources suggest Rahul Gandhi urged leaders to strengthen the organization and prepare for the assembly elections.
The restructuring within Bihar Congress is also being viewed as a move to gain leverage in seat-sharing negotiations with the RJD. Congress, which contested 70 seats in the last assembly polls, is expected to push for a similar share this time. The party’s internal maneuvers are being seen as an attempt to increase its bargaining power within the alliance.
