LoP in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
Credit: AICC via PTI Photo
New Delhi: Congress settled for a demoralising defeat in Bihar where it could win just six seats, as voters turned their face against its aggressive pitch on ‘vote theft’ and many of its leaders refused to walk the extra mile after their demands for party tickets or prominence was not yielded.
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Its two top leaders in the state – Bihar chief Rajesh Ram in Kutumba and Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan in Kadwa – lost the elections though the party managed to cling nearly on to the vote share it had five years ago when it won 19 out of the 70 seats it contested.
Senior Bihar Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh has promised an introspection by the party. But the moot point will be whether the Congress will be able to gain critical mass in Bihar where it could play a strong supporting role for the time being, if not for long.
While the Rahul Gandhi-led ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ created a buzz, the Congress appeared to have failed to capitalise on it due to its organisational deficiencies while the state leadership could not weave a campaign around issues like jobs while adding to ‘vote chori’.
Senior leaders not getting their way on ticket distribution – with some failing to get their family members nominations – led to disgruntled camps either slowing down the campaign or becoming inactive. Absence of central leadership’s intervention at crucial juncture also added to the trouble.
The party leaders also appeared not convinced by Rahul’s ‘vote chori’ pitch and his absence for almost two months in the run up to the polls after the yatra. Local leaders were of the view that the Congress’ emphasis on ‘vote chori’ diverted attention and resources when the polls were at door steps.
Congress’ reverses in Seemachal and Bhojpur belts, otherwise areas where it derives influence, added to its woes and party managers blame it on organisational troubles and misguided priorities.
Trouble was not just in the alliance but also in the party, as in-charge Krishna Allavaru face the brunt for attempting to change the course of the party by minimising the its dependence on RJD and trying to rein in leaders who a section argued was surrendering party’s interests to the alliance leader.
The blame also accrue to the Congress central leadership as it chose to send Allavaru only this February to revamp the organisation in the state where it last won an Assembly election in 1990.
An I.N.D.I.A bloc leader told DH that Allavaru might have been successful in making the Congress stand up to RJD but may not have managed to rejuvenate the organisation, without which taking on Lalu Prasad’s party did mean little.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said the party would do some serious introspection and look into the organisational mistakes that led to such a verdict. “We were not the senior partner in the alliance and the RJD also has to look carefully at its own performance,” he said.
Congress and its Electoral Performance in Bihar
| Year | Seats Won | Vote Share % |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 239 | 41.38 |
| 1957 | 210 | 42.09 |
| 1962 | 185 | 41.35 |
| 1967 | 128 | 33.09 |
| 1969 | 118 | 30.46 |
| 1972 | 167 | 33.12 |
| 1977 | 57 | 23.58 |
| 1980 | 169 | 34.2 |
| 1985 | 196 | 39.3 |
| 1990 | 71 | 24.78 |
| 1995 | 29 | 16.27 |
| 2000 | 23 | 11.06 |
| 2005 Feb | 10 | 5 |
| 2005 Oct | 9 | 6.09 |
| 2010 | 4 | 8.37 |
| 2015 | 27 | 6.66 |
| 2020 | 19 | 9.48 |
| 2025 | 6 | 8.73 |
*Vote share at 9 PM on Nov 14