As the seat-sharing discussions for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in Bihar remain in suspense, senior Congress leaders, including former Union ministers, are strategically positioning themselves for the legislative council elections. The biennial election for 11 seats is scheduled for April next year.
Notable political figures whose terms are set to conclude include Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, Water Resources Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha, Deputy Chairman of Bihar Legislative Council Ram Chandra Purve, former State BJP Chief Mangal Pandey, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain, and Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra.
Although the biennial polls for six Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar are also on the horizon in March, there is a notable absence of enthusiasm within the Congress party to contest. The current Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) chief, Akhilesh Prasad Singh, is eyeing re-election for a second term, with his present tenure as Rajya Sabha member concluding on April 2.
The BPCC office is buzzing with discussions, indicating that senior leaders like Tariq Anwar, Shakeel Ahmad, Chandan Yadav, and Pravin Kushwaha are actively vying for the single seat becoming vacant upon the expiration of Prem Chandra Mishra’s term. Mishra, too, is optimistic about his re-election, citing his ‘outstanding’ performance in the house.
Party insiders suggest that managing the legislative council election is perceived as a more straightforward task than the Rajya Sabha, requiring only 21 MLA votes for victory compared to 37 for the Rajya Sabha. With Congress holding only one quota in both the council and the Rajya Sabha, it appears that no one is willing to challenge the BPCC chief’s candidacy.
As discussions unfold, minority leaders Tariq Anwar and Shakeel Ahmad are positioning themselves based on their minority status, while Chandan Yadav and Pravin Kushwaha assert their claim due to their Other Backward Caste (OBC) background. However, some party leaders note that minority leaders from Bihar have already secured prominent positions, and OBC leader Ranjeet Ranjan represents Chhattisgarh in the Rajya Sabha.
As the political landscape evolves, BPCC chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh may play a pivotal role in determining the fate of senior leaders in the legislative council. The impending revamp of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) adds an additional layer of complexity, as the in-charge for Bihar may change soon.
