The Congress party is facing growing internal divisions over its long-standing alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar. During a high-level meeting convened by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his Delhi residence on Friday, the issue came to the fore when Kharge directly asked Bihar party leaders and MLAs whether the alliance should continue or if Congress should contest future elections independently.

All six Congress MLAs present—Surendra Prasad (Valmiki Nagar), Abhishek Ranjan (Chanpatia), Manoj Biswas (Forbesganj), Abidur Rahman (Araria), Qamrul Hoda (Kishanganj), and Manohar Prasad Singh (Manihari)—strongly opposed continuing the partnership. They argued that the RJD tie-up had severely damaged the Congress’s image in the state and contributed to its poor performance in the recent Assembly elections, where the party contested 61 seats as part of the Mahagathbandhan but won only six.

Some office-bearers, however, defended the alliance. Sources indicated that Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh, seen as close to Lalu Prasad, advocated for its continuation, describing it as beneficial and necessary for Bihar’s political landscape. The meeting was called amid swirling rumours of possible defections, especially after the six MLAs skipped a party feast at Sadaquat Ashram ahead of Makar Sankranti.

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Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal moved to dispel the speculation, stating: “There were rumours that all our MLAs from Bihar were deserting the party. However, all of them were present at the meeting in Delhi. These reports are completely baseless.” Rahul Gandhi was also in attendance during the discussions.

In the recent Bihar Assembly elections, the Mahagathbandhan (led by RJD with 143 seats contested) managed only 25 wins, while the ruling NDA (BJP-JD(U)) secured a dominant 202 seats. The outcome has intensified soul-searching within Congress ranks about the alliance’s viability, with grassroots leaders increasingly vocal about the need for an independent path to revive the party’s fortunes in the state.

The Delhi meeting highlights the delicate balancing act Congress faces in Bihar—preserving coalition ties for broader opposition unity against the NDA while addressing internal discontent over electoral setbacks and perceived marginalisation.

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