Bihar Congress leaders offer to quit as poll loss puts spotlight back on leadership crisis

After poll debacle in Bihar, Congress leaders in state have called for a comprehensive review and have also sent ir resignations to party high-command. Quoting sources, news ncy PTI said that top Congress leaders have offered ir resignations in wake of party's poor show in recently-concluded state Assembly polls.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Bihar Shaktisinh Gohil and or leaders have sent ir resignations to party high-command. State Congress chief Madan Mohan Jha has also offered to quit but is awaiting furr directions from Central leadership. re have been demands from a section of Congress for a review of its Bihar poll performance, with party general secretary Tariq Anwar, warning that it is time to act w. 

It is to be ted that chaos had ensued in Congress party during seat allotment in Bihar, and Central leadership of party had removed its own state chief from poll panel. After tickets were given in first phase of Bihar polls, former state chiefs Chandna Bagchi and Anil Sharma accused AICC in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil, BPCC president Madan Mohan Jha and BPCC campaign committee chairman Akhilesh Prasad Singh of favouring ‘tainted and incompetent’ leaders. 

Congress Infighting out in open

Sibal, one of 23 senior Congress leaders who had expressed dissatisfaction with party's leadership, again raised probing questions after debacle in Bihar Assembly election and bypolls. In an exclusive interview with  Indian Express, he contended that people of country "don't consider Congress to be an effective alternative". former Union Minister alleged that re was a reluctance to address issues within party as Congress Working Committee is a "minated body".

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot publicly slammed Kapil Sibal's criticism of party. According to Gehlot, Sibal talking about Congress' internal issues in media had "hurt sentiments of party workers". Recalling that Congress had emerged stronger from various crises such as those seen in 1969, 1977, 1989 and 1996, Gehlot exuded confidence in party overcoming current lean phase also. To buttress his point, he highlighted formation of UPA government in 2004 under leadership of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Moreover, in a stinging attack, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that those speaking against party are free to join ar party and Salman Khurshid urged internal critics to look within mselves for flaws and contended that y should be prepared for a long struggle rar than look for short cuts to regain power, or to air ir grievances in public. 

READ | Karti Echoes Far Chidambaram's Call To Introspect On Congress' Bihar Loss; Backs Sibal

Crisis in Congress

It must be ted that dissenting voices had risen in Congress party a few months ago against backdrop of fight between Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan. Senior Congress leaders like Kapil Sibal and Ghulam Nabi Azad had n spoken openly against Central leadership of Gandhis, and 23 senior leaders had demanded robust reforms in party. However, interim Congress chief Sonia Gandhi was able to quash rebellion and had assured party members of reviewing raised demands. 

Congress has been in a leadership dilemma since Rahul Gandhi quit as party chief in post-Lok Sabha 2019 debacle. This led to a barr of resignations from various posts. Amidst a lot of turmoil with Priyanka Vadra also being considered, Congress finally went back to ir safe option and named Sonia Gandhi as its interim chief. Recently, her tenure was again extended. While some loyalists have time and again implored 50-year-old Rahul Gandhi to take back reins of party, this has also been met with significant opposition. Moreover, prominent Congress leaders like Jyotiraditya Scindia, Khushbu Sundar have quit party and joined BJP. 

READ | ''Which gang were you then part of?' Sibal asks Shah about PDP-BJP alliance amid Gupkar row

In Bihar, Mahagathbandhan won 110 seats but failed to cross majority mark and form its government in state. Congress ally RJD's leader Shivanand Tiwari has blamed Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for debacle. However, Rahul loyalists seem to deny - Ex-Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam dismissed remark by RJD leader saying it is a trend to blame Rahul Gandhi. Even as revolt brews again, only time will tell if reforms and change in leadership will take place in grand-old Congress party. 

READ | Amid Congress Infighting, Salman Khurshid Warns Critics 're's Short Cut To Power'