Farmers Movement Archive

Bihar: Congress jolts MGB, says can go it alone if not ‘respected’

PATNA: There could be more trouble in store for the opposition Mahagatbandhan over seat-sharing. After RLSP, now Congress has declared that it can go it alone and contest on all 243 seats if not given a "respectable number of seats". The former general secretary of the All India Congress Committee and the party’s screening committee chairman for Bihar, Avinash Pandey, made it clear on Saturday that Congress will not compromise this time. The screening committee is tasked with selecting Congress candidates for the polls. “We have prepared for all seats, and if we remain in alliance, then we will help our alliance partners on their seats. But all our leaders want respect, and if there is a lack of respect towards Congress or our party leaders, then we are ready to fight on all 243 seats,” Pandey said, even hinting at the Left parties joining hands with his party. Though Pandey talked of a "respectable number" of seats, he did not spell out the exact figure that Congress wants for itself. Pandey, who played a key role during assembly polls in Rajasthan as state incharge, said membership drives conducted by his party in Bihar and surveys done on seats have proved that the party has its strength in Bihar. Asked if his party accepts RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as the alliance's chief minister candidate, Pandey said, “Every party has the right to choose its leader, and a party is not dependent on the face of one person.” However, he later clarified, “Definitely, they (RJD) are the major partner in the alliance and Congress will accept it (Tejashwi as CM face).” Reacting to Pandey’s comment, RJD state Spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan said every party prepares for all seats and they too have done their preparation on 243 seats in Bihar. “Even though we prepare on all seats, in alliance we support candidates of all the partners from wherever they are contesting. Talks are going on with Congress in a smooth way and soon everything will be clear.” However he added they will be giving respect to all and expected the same respect from others too. On RLSP leader Upendra Kushwaha, who recently raised questions over Tejashwi’s leadership, and is all set to leave the alliance, Pandey said, “We respect him, and we wish all the forces to come together against the 15 years of misgovernment in Bihar and the BJP. We are fighting for the betterment of Bihar.” Pandey, who has come for two days to Patna with two other team members of the screening committee, said the party will give a chance to those who have been with Congress for long and hardworking candidates who believe in the ideology of the party. He then hit out at the NDA government at the Centre over border issues with China and the farm bills that have led to farmers' agitation across the country. He also attacked CM Nitish Kumar for doing away with the agriculture produce market committee (APMC) and said others should learn a lesson on how farmers in Bihar are now suffering. Pandey said, "The Bihar election will be a revolution and will also decide the fate of PM Modi." Apart from conducting closed-door meetings with senior Bihar leaders on Saturday, Pandey also held a meeting with the members of various committees of the state Congress.

The Times of India

2020-09-27

Patna