Tejashwi’s Strategy Prevails as Congress Backs Down, Rahul Steps In to Resolve Rift

• Congress regains ‘good sense’ just in time, averting deeper embarrassment

• Discontent grew among party leaders over Krishna Allavaru’s ‘double politics’

• After RJD’s tough stance, Congress finally ‘surrenders’

Rajesh Thakur l Patna : In the end, Congress accepted RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial face of Bihar. Not only that, Mukesh Sahani was also endorsed as the Deputy Chief Ministerial candidate by the Congress. But this consensus did not come easily. RJD had to take a tough stand before Rahul Gandhi took the matter seriously. On his initiative, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot held an intense round of talks with Tejashwi Yadav in the presence of senior Bihar Congress leaders only then did the issue get resolved. The formal announcement was later made before the media in the presence of all alliance partners. Though discussions continue about appointing two additional Deputy Chief Ministers, it is still a relief for the alliance that Congress regained its good sense before poling, otherwise, it might have faced major embarrassment in the political arena.

In fact, except for Congress, all other Grand Alliance partners, including Mukesh Sahani’s VIP and the three Left parties had already informally recognized Tejashwi Yadav as their Chief Ministerial face. The CPI’s national convention, held two months earlier, saw General Secretary Ram Naresh Pandey publicly refer to Tejashwi as the ‘Chief Ministerial candidate of the Grand Alliance.’ However, Congress began playing ‘double politics.’ Reliable sources claim that RJD leaders blamed Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru of being misled by Purnia MP Pappu Yadav. It is said that Allavaru was influenced both by Pappu Yadav and by members of Priyanka Gandhi’s inner team. Amid this confusion, Congress started feeling a false sense of dominance, as if it stood above RJD in stature. Then came the inevitable under the guise of a ‘friendly fight,’ RJD began fielding its own candidates on Congress seats, even announcing one against Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram in Kutumba constituency.

The RJD-Congress tussle triggered unrest within Congress itself. In several constituencies, candidate selection created internal rebellion. Many senior leaders expressed anger at Allavaru’s decisions. The situation turned particularly tense in Sultanganj, where senior Congress leader Anand Madhav even threatened to resign. Rajesh Mishra was also seeking the same seat. Meanwhile, in Munger, sitting MLA Ajay Singh was denied a ticket but chose to remain calm. These developments were particularly shocking as Allavaru is considered very close to Rahul Gandhi. Sources say Tejashwi Yadav was furious when tickets were allotted with Allavaru’s approval to certain ‘helicopter leaders’ allegedly connected to the RSS.

As a result of this political turmoil, Congress leaders began facing public embarrassment. That’s when Rahul Gandhi personally intervened. He took charge and sent senior leader Ashok Gehlot to Bihar. Gehlot met Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav at Rabri Devi’s residence, and also held talks with senior Congress leaders to restore confidence. Only after these efforts did the alliance formally project Tejashwi as CM face and Mukesh Sahani as Deputy CM face on Thursday. During the press conference, Tejashwi Yadav kept a close watch to ensure no disruption occurred. Now, the key question is, how will Bihar’s voters respond to this ‘better-late-than-never’ show of unity?