Congress Set to Contest Fewer Seats in Bihar 2025 Elections, Signaling RJD Dominance in Alliance

In a significant shift from its earlier stance, the Congress party appears to have conceded ground to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in the seat-sharing negotiations for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. After initially demanding parity and hinting at going solo, Congress is now reportedly ready to contest around 58 seats — 12 fewer than the 70 it contested in 2020.

🔄 From Assertive to Accommodative: Congress’s Changing Tone

Just weeks ago, Congress leaders in Bihar were signaling a bold new approach, suggesting the party might contest independently or demand at least 100 seats to remain in the INDIA alliance. However, following a key meeting between Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on October 8, sources indicate that the party has agreed to a reduced share.

📉 The SIR Controversy and Lost Momentum

Congress had tried to build a strong narrative around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, alleging that minority and Dalit voters were being unfairly removed. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav even launched a joint “Voter Rights Yatra” to highlight the issue. But when the Election Commission released data showing the deletions were routine, the issue fizzled out, weakening Congress’s independent appeal.

🧮 Strike Rate and Strategic Retreat

In 2020, Congress won only 19 out of 70 seats — a strike rate of just 27%. RJD, which won 75 seats, has emerged as the dominant force in the alliance. With limited organizational strength and few strong local candidates, Congress has little leverage. Party insiders now claim the reduced seat count includes “winnable” constituencies, a strategic compromise to stay relevant.

🆕 Rising Competition: Jan Suraaj’s Impact

Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party has added pressure by emerging as a third alternative, especially among urban, youth, and middle-class voters — traditionally part of Congress’s base. This has further eroded Congress’s bargaining power and forced it to accept a smaller role within the alliance.

🤝 More Allies, Fewer Seats

The INDIA bloc has expanded since 2020, now including regional players like VIP, JMM, and RLJP. With RJD retaining around 130 seats, Congress’s share has shrunk to accommodate new partners. The CPI(ML), which had a strong performance in 2020, is also demanding more seats, further squeezing Congress’s space.

🗳️ Candidate Selection and Internal Challenges

According to reports, Congress has finalized 25 candidates, mostly from its strongholds. Of its 17 sitting MLAs, 15 are expected to be renominated, while two — Murari Prasad Gautam and Siddharth Saurav — may switch to the BJP.

📌 Conclusion

Congress’s retreat in Bihar reflects both electoral pragmatism and organizational limitations. With the RJD leading the alliance and new players entering the fray, Congress has opted for survival over dominance — a move that may shape its future role in state politics.