Congress Takes Disciplinary Action Against Senior Bihar Leaders
The Indian National Congress has taken decisive disciplinary action in Bihar, expelling two senior functionaries from primary membership for a period of six years. The party has cited violations of basic principles, discipline, and organizational dignity as the reasons for this significant move.
Who Are the Expelled Leaders?
The expelled leaders are Chhatrapati Yadav, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly, and Anand Madhav, who previously served as chairman of the party's research wing and also as a party spokesman. Both individuals held prominent positions within the state Congress organization and were well-known figures in Bihar politics.
The Controversy Over Election Performance
The disciplinary action stems from the leaders' public criticism of party leadership following the disappointing results in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. In those elections, the Congress party contested 65 seats but managed to win only six, a significant decline from their previous performance where they had secured 19 seats out of 70 contested.
Following the electoral setback, Yadav and Madhav led a group of approximately three dozen state Congress functionaries in leveling serious allegations against key party figures. They specifically targeted AICC incharge for state affairs Krishna Allavaru and state chief Rajesh Ram, among other leaders.
Allegations of Impropriety in Candidate Selection
The expelled leaders made several damaging claims about the party's candidate selection process for the 2025 elections. They alleged that:
- Party tickets had been sold to candidates
- A "pick-and-choose" method was adopted in selecting candidates
- The selection process lacked transparency and fairness
These allegations were made publicly and continued through regular statements issued by the leaders over an extended period, creating what party officials described as confusion within the organization.
Official Statement on the Expulsion
State Congress media department chairman Rajesh Rathorre made the official announcement on Wednesday, stating: "The state disciplinary committee has expelled Chhatrapati Yadav and Anand Madhav for issuing undesirable statements that were aimed at causing confusion, which undermined the party's basic principles, discipline and organisational dignity."
The six-year expulsion represents one of the most significant disciplinary actions taken by the Congress party in Bihar in recent years, highlighting the leadership's determination to maintain organizational discipline despite electoral challenges.
Broader Implications for Congress in Bihar
This expulsion comes at a critical time for the Congress party in Bihar, where it has been struggling to regain political relevance. The action against two senior leaders who were openly critical of the party's election strategy and leadership decisions signals a firm stance against internal dissent, even as the party grapples with questions about its electoral performance and future direction in the state.
The move also raises questions about how the party will address the underlying issues that led to the criticism, particularly regarding candidate selection processes and election strategy formulation. With both leaders now removed from the party for an extended period, the Congress leadership in Bihar faces the challenge of unifying the organization while addressing the concerns that prompted the public criticism in the first place.
