As Bihar gears up for the 2025 assembly elections, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) of opposition parties finds itself in turmoil. Despite nominations closing for the first phase, consensus remains elusive on seat-sharing and candidate allocation, fueling infighting and public controversies.
Anand Madhav’s Resignation Rocks Congress
The crisis escalated when senior Congress leader and Research Committee Chairman Anand Madhav resigned from all party posts, sending a letter directly to Rahul Gandhi. In a tense press conference, Madhav and several disgruntled Congress leaders accused state in-charge Krishna Allavaru and state president Rajesh Kumar Ram of arbitrary ticket distribution. Madhav’s primary grievance: committed party leaders were ignored in favor of newcomers and candidates with dubious electoral records.
He pointed out that a candidate who lost by 33,000 votes received a ticket, while former MLA Gajanan Shahi—who lost by only 113 votes—was denied. Furthermore, the only Yadav MLA from Congress was denied nomination, raising questions about the party’s commitment to backward caste representation and exposing the lack of transparency in ticket allocation.
Allegations of Favouritism and Threats
Madhav and other Congress office-bearers accused the senior state leadership of favoritism, lack of consultation, and even intimidation. MLA Chhatrapati Yadav and others claimed they were sidelined and threatened for questioning ticket decisions, while district presidents alleged their communications to the central leadership were ignored. The exclusion of the state women’s wing president from ticket consideration has also sparked demands for further resignations from within the party’s ranks.
Impact on Mahagathbandhan Unity
These disputes come amid ongoing struggles between Congress and RJD over seat shares, creating uncertainty for other allies such as Mukesh Sahani’s VIP party. Reports suggest candidates from different Mahagathbandhan partners are competing against each other on several seats, creating further division and risking a split vote that could benefit the NDA.
Outlook
The eruption in Congress highlights a broader discontent within the Mahagathbandhan, as local leaders question the fairness, transparency, and effectiveness of the alliance’s strategy. With sleeper cells and disillusioned leaders threatening to resign or defect, the internal discord may shape both the narrative and results of the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls.