Neglected in ticket distribution, a group of Congress leaders in Bihar on Saturday (October 18, 2025) accused State Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru and Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president Rajesh Ram of selling tickets.
Addressing a press conference, a group of party functionaries, including a sitting MLA and a former MLA, said party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi should intervene.
Anand Madhab, spokesperson and chairman of the research department of the BPCC, resigned from the position with immediate effect.
“Unfortunately, it appears that loyalty, commitment, hard work, and simplicity are no longer valued attributes in our party. Over the past decade, I have served the party with unwavering integrity and honesty, consistently delivering on assigned tasks. However, my inability to indulge in bribery and cater to the ego of a few individuals has seemingly hindered my prospects,” Mr. Madhab said in a letter written to Mr. Kharge.
‘No respect for dedicated workers’
He further said, “The influence of corporate interests, such as Adani and Ambani, appears to have taken precedence over performance, with the “Mera Admi, Tera Admi” (MATA – My Men Your Men) theory dominating party decisions. Despite my clean track record, educational background, and dedicated service, including notable efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been denied Assembly ticket four times.”
Mr. Madhab added, “I fear that the party’s approach to ticket distribution will yield unfavourable results, and we may struggle to reach even double digits in the election. A political party’s success hinges on its principles and discipline, not the whims and fancies of a select few. Regrettably, the ego of some individuals seems to have superseded these core values.”
Khagaria MLA Chhatrapati Yadav has been replaced by a new face, Chandan Yadav, and former MLA Gajanand Shahi, who lost last election by a margin of 113 votes, has been replaced by Trishuldari Singh. The two alleged that there was no respect for dedicated workers in the party.
Sudhir Kumar alias Bunty Choudhary who was candidate in the last election in Sikandra constituency was also present in the press meet.
‘Probe into ticket distribution’
Raising allegations against Mr. Allavaru, Mr. Chhatrapati, “The Bihar Congress in-charge threatened the state president Rajesh Ram and Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan to support him in his wrongdoings.”
Mr. Shahi said, “I lost the election only by 113 votes. But people who lost by more votes have been given tickets. We would like an investigation into who did this and why?”
They said that earlier the candidate list was released before tickets were given but now the ticket is given first and then the names are announced.
A few days ago, Congress workers from Bikram constituency confronted Mr. Allavaru, Mr. Ram and Mr. Khan when they had arrived at Patna airport, alleging corruption in ticket distribution.
All three were seen fleeing the melee as tensions escalated. Mr. Khan was found surrounded by a protesting crowd before he managed to escape in his car.
Dual nomination
Amid the tension over ticket distribution, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)‘s Nabin Kumar has filed the nomination papers on behalf of two political parties, the RJD and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), to contest from Alamnagar constituency.
When asked about the dual nomination, Mr. Kumar said that he only did what the head of the party told him to and would withdraw one nomination as soon as he got the instruction.
There was resentment in the RJD camp too. Shantanu Yadav, son of former Union Minister late Sharad Yadav, lodged his protest after he was denied ticket from Madhepura.
Meanwhile, the RJD announced to withdraw its candidate Afzal Ali Khan from Gaura-Bauram, saying that in seat distribution, the seat has gone to the VIP. VIP chief Mukesh Sahani’s younger brother Santosh Sahani filed his nomination for the seat on Friday.
Published – October 18, 2025 08:54 pm IST