Congress leadership on Friday rejected speculation that its six newly elected legislators in Bihar were preparing to defect, asserting that the claims were unfounded and politically motivated. The party said the MLAs remained committed to the organisation and its programme, even as they attended a closed-door strategy meeting with senior leaders in New Delhi and were urged to intensify their public outreach across the state.The clarification followed a day of heightened political chatter after reports suggested that the small Congress contingent in the Bihar Assembly was under pressure amid shifting alignments and sustained overtures from rival parties. Party officials said the meeting in Delhi had been scheduled earlier and focused on strengthening the Congress’s organisational presence rather than responding to rumours of desertion.
Senior leaders familiar with the discussions said the MLAs were briefed on the party’s priorities in Bihar, including district-level mobilisation, coordination with alliance partners, and more visible engagement on local issues such as employment, migration, agrarian distress and public service delivery. The legislators were advised to spend more time in their constituencies and to amplify the party’s messaging through public meetings and social media platforms.
Congress has struggled to regain political ground in Bihar over the past decade, with its legislative strength shrinking and its role within broader opposition alliances often constrained. The party won six seats in the latest Assembly election, a modest improvement compared with earlier cycles but still far from its historical dominance in the state. Those gains have nonetheless assumed outsized importance as margins between major blocs remain tight.
Party spokespersons said the leadership viewed the six MLAs as central to rebuilding credibility in Bihar and dismissed claims that any of them were dissatisfied. “There is no question of anyone leaving. These stories are speculative and serve the interests of those who want to weaken the opposition,” a senior Congress functionary said, adding that unity within the party was intact.
Political analysts note that defections have become a recurring feature of Bihar’s politics, particularly during periods of uncertainty over alliances or government stability. Anti-defection provisions exist, but their interpretation and enforcement have often been contested, creating space for manoeuvre. Against this backdrop, even small parties have found themselves vulnerable to rumours that can quickly gain traction.
The Congress meeting also reviewed the party’s performance in the Assembly and its coordination with allies at the state level. Leaders emphasised the need for disciplined communication, cautioning legislators against public statements that could be construed as dissent or confusion about the party line. According to those present, the tone of the meeting was directive rather than conciliatory, reflecting the leadership’s intent to project firmness.
For the MLAs, the focus on stepping up public engagement was framed as both an opportunity and a responsibility. Congress believes sustained grassroots presence is essential to counter perceptions that it functions largely as a Delhi-centric organisation. In Bihar, where caste equations, local leadership and constant constituency contact shape electoral outcomes, the party has acknowledged gaps in on-the-ground visibility.
The denial of defection talk also comes amid a broader push by Congress to stabilise its state units and prevent surprises in legislatures where its numbers are limited. Similar efforts have been seen in other states, where central leaders have convened meetings with MLAs to reinforce loyalty and align strategies ahead of electoral contests and parliamentary sessions.
Within Bihar, rival parties have seized on reports of possible defections to underscore the Congress’s fragile position, while alliance partners have privately sought reassurances about stability. Congress leaders said they had communicated with allies to dispel doubts and maintain coordination, stressing that the party remained committed to collective opposition politics in the state.