Congress Surrenders Bihar to RJD: The Shocking Truth Revealed!

RJD Dominates Mahagathbandhan as Congress Retreats

In Bihar’s high-stakes political arena, the Mahagathbandhan is witnessing a dramatic power shift. The RJD, led by Tejashwi Yadav, has firmly taken center stage, while the Congress party has been forced into a supporting role. A single poster at the alliance’s first press conference-featuring only Tejashwi Yadav with the slogan “Bihar Maange Tejashwi Sarkar”-set the tone: this is an RJD-led campaign. Smaller allies like VIP and CPI(ML) welcomed the clarity, but the Congress remained visibly uneasy.

After weeks of internal pressure, the Congress conceded. Tejashwi Yadav was officially named the coalition’s chief ministerial face, with Mukesh Sahani of VIP as deputy CM. Notably absent from the announcement was Rahul Gandhi, whose deliberate distance from the campaign underscores a deeper strategy within the Congress: protect its national leader from potential electoral fallout in Bihar.

This development is not just about seat-sharing or poster politics-it reflects a broader reality for the Congress in coalition dynamics. Once the dominant force in Indian politics, the party now finds itself repeatedly sidelined in state-level alliances. From West Bengal to Delhi, and now Bihar, the Congress is learning to play second fiddle. This article explores the reasons behind the Congress’s retreat, RJD’s assertive leadership, and what it means for the future of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar.

RJD’s Dominance: A Calculated Power Play

The RJD’s decision to project Tejashwi Yadav as the sole face of the Mahagathbandhan was not impulsive-it was strategic. With Lalu Prasad Yadav’s political legacy at stake and Tejashwi’s rising popularity among Bihar’s youth and marginalized communities, the party could not afford ambiguity. Sources within the RJD reveal that Lalu personally conveyed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi that this was a “do-or-die” election for his son’s political future.

The message was clear: the Congress must step back. Unlike previous alliances where the party demanded a disproportionate share of seats or leadership visibility, this time, it had little leverage. The RJD’s strong organizational machinery, deep-rooted voter base among Yadavs and Muslims, and Tejashwi’s energetic campaigning left little room for negotiation.

Smaller allies like VIP and CPI(ML) openly endorsed the RJD’s leadership. Mukesh Sahani, whose party commands influence among the Nishad community, was rewarded with the deputy CM post-a move that solidified the coalition’s social engineering. The Congress, with its diminished cadre and poor strike rate in recent Bihar elections, had no choice but to comply.

Rahul Gandhi’s Absence: Damage Control or Disengagement?

Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the Mahagathbandhan’s key events has raised eyebrows, but Congress insiders insist it’s deliberate. Officially, the party claims these are state elections, and local leaders should take the lead. However, the real reason runs deeper: the Congress wants to shield Rahul Gandhi from potential blame if the alliance loses.

A senior Congress leader, speaking anonymously, said: “Rahul ji’s national image is tied to the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Voter Adhikar Yatra. A loss in Bihar could be weaponized by the BJP to question his leadership. By staying away, we ensure Tejashwi owns the campaign-win or lose.”

This strategy mirrors past instances. In Delhi, the Congress’s alliance with AAP collapsed amid mutual distrust. In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee forced the removal of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury as state president to avoid friction. The Congress has repeatedly prioritized alliance survival over asserting its own identity.

Congress’s Coalition Conundrum: A Pattern of Retreat

The Congress’s experience in Bihar is part of a larger pattern. In states where it lacks electoral strength, the party has consistently yielded ground to regional heavyweights:

• West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee accused Congress of being a “BJP B-team” and refused alliance talks for 2026 unless Adhir Chowdhury was sidelined.
• Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal blamed Congress for splitting anti-BJP votes, leading to AAP’s dominance in urban strongholds.
• Tamil Nadu: DMK dictates terms, leaving Congress with minimal seats and no leadership role.
• Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar marginalized Congress in the MVA alliance.

In each case, the Congress has prioritized staying in the opposition tent over fighting for visibility. Critics argue this erodes the party’s brand and cadre morale. Supporters, however, see it as pragmatic-better to be a junior partner than irrelevant.

BJP’s Narrative: Congress Has Lost Its ‘Samman’

The BJP has been quick to capitalize. Union ministers and state leaders have mocked the Congress, calling it a party that has “lost its self-respect.” Amit Shah, during a rally in Patna, said: “The Congress once ruled India. Today, it begs for seats from regional parties. This is not alliance dharma-it is political surrender.”

BJP IT cell handles have flooded social media with memes showing Rahul Gandhi hiding behind Tejashwi Yadav. The narrative is clear: the Congress is no longer a national alternative but a regional appendage.

For the BJP, this weakens the INDIA bloc’s unity pitch. If the Congress cannot assert itself in Bihar-one of its last strongholds in the Hindi heartland-how can it lead a national coalition against Narendra Modi?

What’s at Stake for Congress in Bihar

A Mahagathbandhan victory would be a morale booster for the Congress. It would validate Rahul Gandhi’s “Voter Adhikar Yatra” and prove that the INDIA bloc can defeat the BJP in direct contests. More importantly, it would give the party a foothold in Bihar’s power structure-crucial for reviving its organizational base.

A loss, however, could be devastating. It would reinforce the perception that the Congress is electorally irrelevant in Bihar, where it won only 19 seats in 2020 despite being part of the Mahagathbandhan. It would also embolden regional allies to demand even fewer seats in future alliances.

The Congress has allocated significant resources to Bihar-over 300 star campaigners, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra-but all campaigning is being done under Tejashwi’s leadership. Local Congress workers complain of being sidelined in ticket distribution and rally planning, further deepening internal frustration.

Can the Mahagathbandhan Hold Together?

Despite the public show of unity, cracks are visible. The Left parties want more seats. VIP is demanding key ministries. The RJD, while accommodating, is firm on its leadership claim. The Congress, though silent, is reportedly unhappy with seat allocation in districts like Kosi and Mithilanchal.

Political analysts believe the alliance will hold until polling day-but post-election power-sharing could trigger fresh tensions. If the Mahagathbandhan wins a narrow majority, the Congress may push for more cabinet berths. If it falls short, blame games will begin immediately.

The RJD, aware of these risks, is running a hyper-localized campaign focused on unemployment, migration, and caste census-issues that resonate deeply in Bihar. Tejashwi’s “10 lakh jobs” promise remains the centerpiece, with little mention of national Congress themes like NYAY or caste census at the central level.

The Road Ahead: Survival vs Revival

For the Congress, Bihar 2025 is more than an election-it’s an existential test. A third consecutive poor showing would accelerate cadre desertions and donor fatigue. Revival in the Hindi heartland depends on proving it can win elections, not just participate in alliances.

The party’s long-term challenge is rebuilding its state units, nurturing local leadership, and developing a narrative independent of regional satraps. Until then, it will remain a junior partner-tolerated, but not trusted-to lead.

As Bihar heads to the polls, one thing is clear: the Mahagathbandhan is Tejashwi’s battle to win or lose. The Congress has chosen survival over leadership. Whether this pragmatism pays off-or further erodes its identity-will be decided in the coming weeks.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in Coalition Politics

The Bihar Mahagathbandhan 2025 marks a turning point in Indian coalition politics. The RJD’s assertive leadership, Congress’s strategic retreat, and Rahul Gandhi’s calculated absence reflect a new reality: regional parties now dictate terms in opposition alliances. For better or worse, the Congress has accepted a supporting role to stay relevant.

As votes are cast, the outcome will shape not just Bihar’s future-but the trajectory of the INDIA bloc and the Congress party’s revival hopes. One thing is certain: in the battle for Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav is the face, the voice, and the future of the Mahagathbandhan.