Veteran Congress leader and former legislator from Kadwa in Katihar district, Shakeel Ahmad Khan, has triggered unease within the opposition alliance in Bihar by arguing that the Congress should pursue an independent political course in the state, contending that its partnership with the Rashtriya Janata Dal failed to deliver tangible electoral gains. The comments have drawn a sharp response from leaders of the alliance partner, who see the remarks as undermining collective strategy at a sensitive juncture in Bihar’s political calendar.Khan, a long-time figure in Bihar politics and a former MLA known for his organisational work in the Seemanchal region, made the assessment while addressing party workers and speaking to local media. He said the Congress had contested multiple elections in alliance with the RJD but remained unable to substantially rebuild its independent voter base or organisational strength. According to him, the arrangement largely benefited the larger partner, leaving the Congress with limited space to project its own leadership or agenda in constituencies where it once held sway.
The comments quickly reverberated through the alliance. RJD leaders rejected the criticism, saying the coalition had been forged to consolidate opposition votes against the ruling dispensation and that seat-sharing outcomes could not be judged in isolation. Senior RJD figures pointed out that alliance politics inevitably required compromise and argued that the Congress’s presence within the coalition had helped broaden its social and regional reach, particularly in urban pockets and minority-dominated constituencies.
Within the Congress, reactions have been more nuanced. Some leaders privately acknowledged that Khan’s remarks echoed concerns raised internally after successive electoral setbacks, including Assembly and parliamentary contests where the party struggled to convert vote share into seats. Others cautioned that airing such differences publicly risked weakening the opposition front and confusing voters. Party insiders said the leadership was keen to address organisational weaknesses but remained committed to alliance politics as the most viable route in a state dominated by strong regional players.
The episode highlights a recurring dilemma for the Congress in Bihar. Once a dominant force, the party has over decades ceded space to regional formations such as the RJD and the Janata Dal. Its alliance with the RJD has been central to opposition politics in the state, especially during elections where arithmetic and caste coalitions play a decisive role. Yet the Congress’s reduced seat tally and dependence on partners have fuelled periodic debates over whether continued alliance politics hampers long-term revival.
Electoral data from the past decade underline the challenge. In Assembly elections, the Congress has often contested fewer seats as part of alliances, limiting its exposure but also constraining opportunities to rebuild grassroots networks. While the Mahagathbandhan has secured power or mounted strong challenges at different points, the Congress’s individual performance has remained modest, reinforcing perceptions among sections of the cadre that the party is playing a secondary role.
RJD leaders responding to Khan stressed that alliances should be evaluated on collective outcomes rather than individual party tallies. They noted that opposition unity had, at times, prevented vote fragmentation and enabled competitive contests against the ruling alliance. Public statements from RJD spokespersons emphasised that internal discussions were the appropriate forum for resolving differences, adding that personal opinions should not be mistaken for a shift in Congress policy.
Political analysts see Khan’s remarks as symptomatic of broader churn within the Congress, where state-level leaders face pressure from cadres to articulate a clearer identity while navigating the realities of coalition politics. In Bihar, where electoral battles hinge on finely balanced social equations, breaking away from alliances carries risks of marginalisation. At the same time, remaining within them can perpetuate organisational stagnation if not paired with sustained grassroots rebuilding.
The Congress leadership in the state has so far refrained from issuing a formal rebuttal or endorsement of Khan’s assessment. Party sources said consultations were under way to manage the fallout and reassure alliance partners of its commitment to opposition unity. They also indicated that feedback from leaders like Khan would be reviewed as part of broader organisational planning, rather than dismissed outright.