New Delhi: Reports of a physical altercation during a Congress party review meeting regarding the recent Bihar electoral losses have been dismissed by party officials, who claim that no such incident occurred. The meeting, held in New Delhi, was convened to analyze the party's poor performance in the Bihar elections and strategize for future campaigns.

However, sources initially indicated a heated exchange between two leaders, Engineer Sanjeev and Jitender Kumar, escalating to the point where one allegedly threatened the other. According to these reports, Sanjeev purportedly said to Kumar, "Goli maar dunga (I will shoot you)," during the argument. These reports of a scuffle quickly gained traction, creating a stir within the party and drawing media attention.

In response to these allegations, Congress leaders have strongly denied that any physical altercation or threats took place. They maintain that the meeting involved a robust discussion and exchange of ideas concerning the Bihar election results but that reports of a scuffle are unfounded. According to the party, disagreements arose during the review, but they remained within the bounds of respectful dialogue and did not devolve into physical violence or threats.

The Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) recently expelled seven leaders for six years, citing anti-party activities and violations of discipline during the recent Bihar assembly elections. The leaders were accused of deviating from the party’s core ideology, breaching organizational decorum, and issuing misleading statements outside party platforms. The committee emphasized that these leaders had repeatedly criticized party decisions in print and on social media, including baseless allegations of ticket racketeering, which damaged the party’s reputation.

The dismissals have sparked controversy within party ranks, with dissidents calling it a scapegoating tactic to shield senior leaders from accountability for the electoral defeat. Some leaders have questioned the legitimacy of the disciplinary committee, arguing that it lacks formal notification from the AICC, unlike other panels.

Following the party's poor performance in Bihar, senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, met to discuss the election outcome. The party had won only six of the 61 seats it contested, marking its second-worst performance in the state after 2010. Congress leaders have also questioned the Election Commission's role in the poll process, alleging a lack of transparency. One leader claimed the election results reflected "vote chori on a gigantic scale masterminded by the PM, the HM, and the Election Commission".

Haryana's Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij mocked the Congress party for holding a review meeting after its defeat in the Bihar elections. He stated that the "Congress does not need to review the Bihar election results" and that "the reason for their defeat is simple — the party is full of fake and dishonest/lie leaders in whom the public has no trust".

While reports of a scuffle have been refuted by Congress officials, the episode underscores the heightened tensions and scrutiny surrounding the party's internal dynamics in the wake of the Bihar election setback. The party faces the challenge of addressing internal dissent and formulating a cohesive strategy to regain public trust and improve its electoral prospects.