Congress Party Turmoil Intensifies in Bihar Following Controversial Remarks
The political landscape within the Congress party in Bihar remains turbulent, with controversies persisting since last year's assembly elections. The latest flashpoint emerged when former state president Shakeel Ahmad made disparaging comments about senior party leader Rahul Gandhi during a television interview, labeling him as a "darpok (coward)" and an "insecure" leader.
Statewide Protests by Youth Congress Workers
In response to these inflammatory remarks, Youth Congress workers organized demonstrations across multiple districts and assembly constituencies in Bihar on Tuesday. One of the prominent protest sites was the Kargil roundabout in Patna, where activists voiced their strong disapproval of Ahmad's statements.
Bihar Youth Congress president Garib Das addressed the media after the protests, stating: "The kind of statement made by Shakeel Ahmad not only violates political dignity but appears to be a well-planned attempt to tarnish the image of our party's leadership. The Youth Congress strongly condemns any such act that undermines party unity and discipline."
Shakeel Ahmad's Provocative Claims and Political History
Shakeel Ahmad, a seasoned politician with credentials including three terms as MLA, two terms as MP, former Union minister, and former Bihar Congress president (2000-2003), further escalated tensions on Tuesday. Through social media posts, he claimed that according to his "sources within the state Congress," his residences in Patna and Madhubani might face attacks due to his critical remarks about Rahul Gandhi.
This controversy follows Ahmad's resignation from the party on November 12 last year, when he clarified in his resignation letter that his opposition was not directed at the party or its ideology, but specifically at the leadership style of certain individuals.
Organizational Restructuring and Leadership Uncertainty
Complicating the situation further are persistent speculations about potential leadership changes within the Bihar Congress. There are indications that current state Congress chief Rajesh Ram might be replaced in the coming months as part of broader organizational reforms.
The central party unit has initiated the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan (SSA) in six states, including Bihar, aimed at strengthening the party structure from district to block levels. A letter sent to the Bihar Congress on January 24 outlined that twenty All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers, each paired with a Pradesh Congress Committee observer, would provide recommendations for appointing district and block presidents.
Given the sensitivity of these developments, state Congress functionaries have maintained silence regarding both the AICC observers and the potential replacement of Rajesh Ram.
Historical Context of Leadership Instability
The Bihar Congress has experienced significant leadership churn over the past fifteen years, with seven different individuals serving as state president during this period. Notably, three former presidents—Anil Sharma, Mehboob Ali Kaiser, and Ashok Chaudhary—eventually left the party to join other political formations, often making critical observations about the Congress during their tenure.
This pattern of leadership transitions and public disagreements highlights the ongoing challenges facing the party's organizational structure in Bihar, even as it attempts to rebuild and consolidate its presence ahead of future electoral contests.
