Amid Bihar Introspection Calls, Congress Focuses on 'Vote Chori'
In the wake of a disappointing performance in the recent Bihar Assembly elections, the Indian National Congress is facing increased calls for introspection and accountability. Despite contesting 61 seats as part of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan, the Congress only managed to secure 6 seats. This dismal outcome has triggered internal discord and prompted senior leaders to demand a thorough review of the party's strategy, messaging, and organizational structure.
However, amidst these calls for introspection, a significant faction within the Congress is focusing on allegations of "vote chori" (vote theft). This group, including top brass leaders, claims that the election results were manipulated through a compromised election apparatus. They allege that the Election Commission of India (ECI) colluded with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to influence the outcome. Specifically, concerns have been raised regarding the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with accusations that it led to the disenfranchisement of a large number of voters.
Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and AICC communications chief Jairam Ramesh, have publicly voiced their concerns about the fairness of the elections. Gandhi described the Bihar results as "truly surprising" and asserted that the party "could not achieve victory in an election that was not fair from the very beginning". Ramesh went further, alleging "vote chori on a gigantic scale" orchestrated by high-ranking officials.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also accused the ECI of being a "mute spectator" and colluding with the ruling coalition by allowing the Bihar government to continue cash transfers while the Model Code of Conduct was in force. He argued that the ECI's failure to ensure fair elections amounted to "vote theft".
However, this focus on "vote chori" has drawn criticism from within the party. Some leaders fear that it is being used as an excuse to avoid addressing the underlying issues that contributed to the Congress's poor performance. They argue that while irregularities may have occurred, the party's weak organizational base, lack of a compelling narrative, and failure to connect with local issues also played a significant role.
Veteran Congress leader Tariq Anwar has expressed his disappointment at the lack of seriousness for introspection within the party. He noted that neither the Bihar in-charge nor the PCC chief had taken accountability for the defeat, and no meeting had been called to assess the reasons for the outcome. Mumtaz Patel, daughter of the late Ahmed Patel, also criticized the party, stating that it was time to "look within and accept reality".
Despite the Congress's allegations, the NDA secured a comfortable victory in the Bihar elections, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party. The Mahagathbandhan, on the other hand, suffered a significant setback, raising questions about its future prospects.
As the Congress grapples with the aftermath of the Bihar elections, it remains to be seen whether the party will genuinely engage in introspection and address its internal weaknesses, or continue to primarily focus on allegations of "vote chori". The path it chooses will likely have significant implications for its future relevance in Bihar and the broader national political landscape.
