The Congress’s rout once again in the assembly elections in Delhi has brought much worry to the central party leadership as it will have some reaction on the next state assembly polls scheduled in Bihar by the end of this year. One of the reasons is that the Congress did badly in the constituencies inhabited by the Biharis. This has led to some hard thinking about the organizational aspects of the states which are facing assembly elections in the coming days.
This is ostensibly visible in Rahul Gandhi’s stand in the case of two states, Bihar and West Bengal. While in Bihar he has decided to replace the present state party chief Akhilesh Singh with a Dalit leader, which is likely to be formally announced within a fortnight, in Bengal Rahul wants the state party to be prepared to fight alone.
Rahul is contemplating for a major dimensional shift in the functioning of Bihar unit. This has its manifestation in senior Congress leader and MP Tariq Anwar calling for a clarity in its stand and strategy about poll-bound Bihar. Senior leaders maintain that bitter experience of Lok Sabha election, when RJD chief Lalu Yadav outright denied the seats which Congress had demanded and fielded some green horses which they eventually lost in the final phase, has made then sceptical whether they would not be meted out same treatment in the assembly election to be held later this year.
Not only Congress leaders, even the CPI(ML) leaders nurse the feeling that the INDIA bloc would have won at least four more Lok Sabha seats if Lalu had listened to their pleas and did not act unilaterally. In the assembly election of 2020 the Congress was allotted 70 seats, but it could win only 19 seats, down 8 seats which it held in earlier house. On the contrary the CPI(ML) won 12 out of 19 it contested. CPI and CPI(M) had won two seats each. Ironically at least on three seats from where CPI(ML) was contesting, RJD had fielded independent candidates supported by it.
It is alleged that present PCC chief has not been able to connect the party with the Dalits, OBCs, EBCs and Muslims. Quite significant Anwar had also underlined the need for basic changes in the party’s organisation structure. “It has become a necessity now, as half-baked alliances cause confusion among the people. It has to be made clear whether the Congress wants to contest in alliance or go alone.” A common perception that is making round the political and social circle is a section of the intermediate castes and even upper castes are willing to come back to Congress but they are sceptical. The leaders maintain that the state unit is virtually run by Brahmins and Bhumihars. But the fact is the two castes are with BJP. The leaders from these castes who are in Congress, cannot vouch to represent their castes.
It is an open secret that INDIA bloc is a fragile entity and does not have its own voice. The bloc is at the mercy of Lalu. The Congress leaders also point out that only two months back Lalu had supported the claim of Mamata Banerjee to make her the INDIA chief alleging that Rahul was not taking initiative to strengthen the bloc at national level. They argue same yardstick should have been applied in the case of Bihar. Lalu and Tejashvi must let the constituents know what they have done to strengthen the alliance in Bihar. Why did they not hold periodic meetings, being the biggest partner, to evolve strategy to reach out to the people? They allege that Tejashvi has been busy holding rallies and yatras only for strengthening his RJD.
Rahul is quite concerned at the poor health of Bihar unit and at a meeting on February 5, organised to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dalit messiah, freedom fighter and Congress activist Jaglal Choudhary, he made it explicit that Dalit leaders should play a pro active role for strengthening at the grass root level: “I want to see the day when Dalits, tribals and backwards become leaders, not just footsoldiers, in bureaucracy and the private sector. I want to see Dalits in leadership role in every institution. This is exactly what Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Dalit icon of Bihar Jaglal Choudhary always dreamt of”.
His thrust is quite distinct; “Today, Delhi assembly polls are underway. But, I believed this function was equally important. So I flew down after casting my vote,” said the 54-year-old leader. In a speech that lasted close to 30 minutes, Gandhi spoke extensively of the need to ensure better “bhagidaari” (participation) of Dalits, tribals and OBCs in all walks of life, asserting that mere political representation was not enough. As long as this is in force, Dalits and other deprived sections of the society can hope for a better life. The BJP-RSS knows this, so they attack the Constitution, but not overtly.”
Nevertheless it is believed that the reorganised Congress, under its new state chief would try to work out an electoral strategy with other allies of Mahagathbandhan. Picking the thread from Rahul’s narrative, the state Congress would strive for fresh caste survey. They nurse the view that caste survey carried out by BJP-led NDA, was not up to the mark.
State Congress leaders do not find any fault in Congress going alone in Delhi election. Leaders praise the party leadership for making a conscious effort to re-establish the party from the scratch. Congress is a national party and it will have to learn to take risks for re-establishing itself. A number of them strongly feel that irrespective of the electoral outcome, in Bihar too the party should think of going solo. It will help to reconnect with the people and would encourage the original support base to do a “ghar wapasi”. Of course these leaders are not averse to taking together the Left bloc with them. They point out in past, CPI had worked together with the party in Bihar.
Sources maintain that realising the exigencies and compulsions of the political situation, RJD is also contemplating to adopt more flexible approach towards the INDIA bloc allies. RJD state general secretary Shashwat Gautam said that the alliance of the Congress and the RJD is old and time-tested. He said “RJD has been the closest ally of the Congress even in difficult times and Laluji historically remarked that Sonia Gandhi is a respectable bahu (daughter in law) of India. Bihar election is crucial and both RJD and the Congress know its importance and the alliance talks will also be in that backdrop. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are well equipped to deliberate and decide all matters of alliance in Bihar. Delhi is history now”.
If the Congress leaders are to be relied, Rahul is willing to contest all the seats in both the states, Bihar and Bengal. He is hopeful of return of the old workers and supporters who for some time had withdrawn from active politics. Significant number of BJP leaders and cadres were earlier with Congress. In Bengal the situation is more favourable for Congress, they argue. They are also sure in Bengal, the party may not perform well in 2026 assembly polls, but it would be revived and cadres would get rejuvenated. It would help the Congress party in next Lok Sabha election in 2029.
These leaders feel that this move may not fetch significant vote or may help the party a couple of seats in that state, but eventually a beginning would be made. They point out that the national leadership has not shut its door on Mamata Banerjee but she has to reciprocate as a trusted ally, it is for her to act. However they have also taken note of the latest assertion of Mamata; “There is no question of an alliance. Trinamool will go alone and secure a historic victory. The Congress doesn’t have any presence in Bengal. We don’t need any alliance with Congress in Bengal.”
However Manoj Kumar Jha, RJD Rajya Sabha member looks at the AAP defeat as the peoples’ yearning for change. He holds that in Bihar INDIA unity under the RJD will be tested. He feels instead of indulging in blame game, people should adopt an objective approach about Delhi episode. “Even the Congress can complain that the AAP fought against them in Goa, Gujarat, Haryana… This is all part of larger democratic processes… But overall, the idea of the INDIA bloc was at the Central level, which is an idea to provide an alternative to the BJP. That remains relevant. Parties have to sit together and plan for the future”. (IPA Service)
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