Congress discusses seat-sharing & election strategy

Patna: A meeting of the Bihar Congress, held at the residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi on Tuesday, discussed strategy on several key issues and stressed finalising the seat-sharing deal with allies as soon as possible.The meeting, which was also attended by leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, focused on the party campaign, seat sharing, manifesto, and candidate selection. “We discussed all these issues in detail and reviewed the work done so far concerning the Bihar assembly elections,” Congress's Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru told the media after the meeting.He said seat-sharing discussions were ongoing with alliance partners and expressed hope that an agreement would be reached soon.

"We can only say right now that the talks are positive and moving in the right direction,” Allavaru added, also hinting at the involvement of several top party leaders in the Bihar assembly campaign.The party's MP from Kishanganj, Mohammad Jawaid, said good candidates must be given an opportunity to secure better electoral results. “It was also emphasised at the meeting that good candidates should get a chance in the elections so that we can fight a good election and form the govt,” Jawaid said.

Alleging that the existing NDA govt, in power for 20 years, has worsened Bihar's situation, he said the people of the state have now decided it is time for “change.” Issues such as migration, unemployment, poverty, corruption, and education were also discussed at the meeting.Prominent party leaders from Bihar, including state president Rajesh Kumar, former president Madan Mohan Jha, Akhilesh Prasad Singh, and Congress Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmand Khan, attended the meeting. Independent MP from Purnia, Pappu Yadav, was also present.