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Rahul’s Bihar litmus test – how to keep party MLAs from jumping ship

Published

9 years ago

September 8, 2017

By Abhishek Kumar

With the collapse of the RJD-JDU-Congress Mahagathbandhan government, Congress MLAs in Bihar feel staying in Opposition not a wise political choice

Presenting a major challenge for Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, at least 19 of the party’s legislators from Bihar want him to ditch the alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Rahul’s dilemma now is to either ignore the rebel MLAs and risk losing a majority of the party’s elected representatives in Bihar to rivals BJP and JD (U) or give in and lose a trusted ally like Lalu, who inarguably is the most vocal and effective Opposition leader against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP.

Over the past week, both Rahul and his mother, Congress president Sonia Gandhi have held separate meetings with nearly a dozen rebel MLAs of the party’s Bihar unit.

Sonia had met them first and impressed upon them that it is imperative for the Congress to stand with Lalu at a time when “secular political forces are facing their biggest political challenge” in the face of the BJP’s continuing electoral successes. A senior Bihar MLA who had met Sonia last week said that she even conceded that “the coalition of RJD, JDU and Congress had managed to stall BJP’s victory march largely because of Lalu’s popularity and networking across Bihar” and that chief minister Nitish Kumar is certain to lose his popular sheen due to his decision of ditching Lalu and joining hands with Modi.

However, the MLAs weren’t satisfied with Sonia’s arguments, said another leader, adding that the Congress MLAs in Bihar were facing a dilemma of their own – stay in Opposition for their ideology and work under Lalu’s shadow or join hands with the ruling coalition and ensure a “longer, more fruitful political innings”.

Through Wednesday and Thursday, sources said, Rahul held a series of discussions with at least 17 of the dissenting MLAs. While he is learnt to have implored them to heed the Congress president’s advice, it is learnt that the MLAs weren’t convinced.

Another challenge for Rahul, sources said, is to decide on the fate of Bihar Congress president Ashok Choudhary – a popular ‘youth’ face of the party and an MLA. It was Rahul who had got Choudhary installed as the party’s state unit chief. With the political grapevine in Bihar abuzz with rumours of Choudhary being instrumental in the rebellion and being in talks with the JD (U) to engineer defections, Rahul is learnt to have asked at least 11 of his party MLAs if the state unit chief should be replaced.

However, a majority of Congress’ 27 legislators in Bihar are loyal to Choudhary. It was largely Choudhary hard bargaining that got the Congress 50 seats in the seat-sharing talks with Lalu and Nitish before the Bihar Assembly polls and he had had a crucial role in selecting the candidates too. Choudhary, who wasn’t called by Rahul for his meetings with the Bihar leaders the past few days, has publicly declared that he is “extremely unhappy” about being “sidelined by the leadership”.

“My father was in this party for 50 years till his death and I’m here for the last 25 years…During my president-ship (of the Bihar unit), the number of MLAs went to 27 from 4 in the state assembly. In the legislative council, we had zero, now we have six members,” Choudhary said, while adding that though he remains a Congressman, humiliation by the leadership would force him to explore political options.

Choudhary’s refrain of exploring other political options is one that has been echoed by other Bihar Congress legislators too – though on condition of anonymity. “What can the Congress offer us while being in Opposition,” asked one Congress MLA while another was more brazen, saying, “if we stay in the Opposition we might not even win another election but if we join hands with Nitish, we might get something in return and perhaps win the next assembly polls also”.

It now remains to be seen as to how Rahul – whose political acumen has for long been suspect and a matter of embarrassment for his party colleagues – manages to stem the rot within his fold.

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BJP may drop over 100 UP MLAs, focus shifts to voters and fix internal rifts

The BJP is considering major changes to its Uttar Pradesh candidates, with more than 100 sitting MLAs potentially facing ticket cuts as the party works to address internal rifts and voter concerns.

Published

5 hours ago

October 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

The BJP is preparing a major organisational and electoral strategy in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly election, with the party considering dropping more than 100 sitting MLAs from its candidate list.

The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to address internal differences within the party, strengthen its organisation and reconnect with voters across the state.

BJP’s plan for Uttar Pradesh

The party’s strategy involves reviewing the performance and prospects of its sitting legislators before deciding on candidates for the next Assembly election. More than 100 MLAs could potentially be denied tickets as part of the exercise.

The focus is also on resolving internal rifts and improving coordination within the organisation. The BJP is looking to address issues that emerged during the 2024 Lok Sabha election and strengthen its connect with voters.

The party’s review comes as it prepares for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, where it will seek to strengthen its position across the state.

Focus on internal differences and voters

Along with changes to its pool of candidates, the BJP is working on repairing differences within the organisation.

The party’s strategy places emphasis on reconnecting with voters and understanding issues at the ground level. Leaders and workers are expected to focus on strengthening the party’s presence among voters as preparations for the Assembly election continue.

The approach reflects the BJP’s effort to draw lessons from its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election and make organisational changes ahead of the next major electoral contest in Uttar Pradesh.

Candidate changes under consideration

The possibility of dropping over 100 sitting MLAs would represent a significant change in the BJP’s candidate strategy in the state. However, the final decision on individual tickets will depend on the party’s assessment and the selection process.

The BJP is therefore combining a review of its sitting legislators with efforts to resolve internal differences and rebuild its connection with voters as it prepares for the 2027 polls.

India News

PM Modi speaks to Trump, reviews India-US trade and defence ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump and reviewed India-US bilateral cooperation, including trade and defence.

Published

1 day ago

September 30, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday and reviewed key areas of India-US bilateral cooperation, including trade and defence.

The conversation came as the two countries continue discussions on strengthening their broader partnership, with economic and strategic issues forming an important part of the engagement.

Modi, Trump discuss key areas of bilateral cooperation

During the phone conversation, Modi and Trump reviewed cooperation between India and the United States across several areas.

Trade and defence were among the key subjects discussed by the two leaders. Their conversation also covered energy and emerging technologies, reflecting the broad scope of the India-US partnership.

The two leaders also discussed issues linked to regional and global peace and security.

Had a productive conversation with President Trump. We reviewed our bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, energy, critical technologies and other areas. We agreed to maintain close engagement to take our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership forward.

We also exchanged…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 30, 2026

India-US trade talks continue

The conversation took place amid ongoing trade discussions between India and the United States.

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is visiting the US from September 29 to October 5 for discussions related to an interim trade agreement and the possibility of a broader bilateral trade deal.

The talks are aimed at advancing trade engagement between the two countries as officials work towards an agreement that is described as balanced and mutually beneficial.

Defence and strategic cooperation

Defence cooperation was another area reviewed by Modi and Trump during their conversation.

India and the US have developed broader cooperation across defence and strategic sectors, and the latest discussion included the two countries’ continuing engagement in this area.

Energy and emerging technologies were also part of the leaders’ discussion, underlining the range of issues covered during the phone call.

Modi-Trump discuss regional and global issues

Beyond bilateral matters, Modi and Trump also discussed regional and global peace and security.

The conversation comes as India and the US continue to engage on issues extending beyond their bilateral relationship.

The latest phone call is part of the continuing engagement between the two leaders on strengthening cooperation across trade, defence and other areas of mutual interest.

India News

Vote Chori Row: INDIA Bloc to march to Election Commission office

The INDIA bloc is planning a march to the Election Commission office and nationwide protests amid its ongoing dispute with the poll panel.

Published

1 day ago

September 30, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Opposition INDIA bloc is stepping up its campaign against the Election Commission, with the alliance planning a march to the poll body’s office in Delhi and a larger programme of protests over what it calls “vote chori”.

The move comes amid a continuing dispute between the Opposition and the Election Commission over the functioning of the poll panel, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The INDIA bloc is also discussing a wider nationwide agitation, with public rallies and protests planned in different parts of the country. The alliance is expected to finalise its broader action plan during its meeting in Delhi.

INDIA bloc plans wider protest campaign

The Opposition alliance has been intensifying its criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following reports about differences among Election Commissioners over decisions related to electoral rolls.

The Congress Working Committee has already demanded the removal of Gyanesh Kumar. The INDIA bloc is now considering coordinated action against the Chief Election Commissioner and the Centre.

The proposed campaign includes protests and public rallies across the country. A major rally in Delhi is also being planned as part of the Opposition’s wider mobilisation.

Opposition’s allegations against poll panel

The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the revision and preparation of electoral rolls and has repeatedly used the term “vote chori” while raising its concerns.

Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the poll panel’s actions have helped the BJP gain an advantage. The Election Commission and the government have rejected the Opposition’s criticism and defended the electoral process and the SIR exercise.

The dispute has intensified following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections on several occasions over decisions taken under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

INDIA bloc meeting to decide next steps

Leaders of more than 20 Opposition parties are taking part in discussions on the next phase of the campaign. Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi are representing the party.

Other INDIA bloc constituents are also participating, while some parties have decided to support the Opposition’s position without attending the meeting.

The alliance is discussing both street protests and parliamentary action against the Chief Election Commissioner. The Congress has demanded his removal, while other Opposition parties have backed the broader campaign over the Election Commission row.

The INDIA bloc’s proposed march and rallies are part of its continuing effort to put pressure on the poll panel over electoral-roll revisions and its allegations of irregularities in the electoral process.