From Unwinnable Map To Tejashwi Factor: Why Congress Thinks It Lost Bihar Elections

Last Updated:November 17, 2025, 15:03 IST

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge led a Congress review of the Bihar defeat, reportedly citing poor seat distribution, RJD strategy, and BJP's ground game as key reasons

As part of its new plan, the Congress will compile data on alleged vote theft, EVM tampering and statistical inconsistencies in the results.

In the wake of its heavy defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress on Sunday held an extensive review meeting led by senior leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, bringing state leaders together to assess what went wrong. The discussions, which stretched for several hours, exposed sharp dissatisfaction with the Mahagathbandhan’s strategy and placed considerable scrutiny on the role of ally RJD and its leader Tejashwi Yadav.

A News18 Hindi report cited sources as saying that while leaders admitted internal weaknesses, they listed seven key reasons for the rout, several of which pointed to strained coordination and flawed decision-making within the alliance.

1. Seat Distribution Became the Party’s Biggest Handicap

Congress leaders reportedly conceded that the alliance handed them an unwinnable map. Of the 61 seats allotted, 23 had no history of success for either Congress or the RJD. Another 15 had seen only one win in several cycles. The party considered just 14 seats competitive, and secured only 6. Leaders also noted that friendly fights with alliance partners resulted in losses in 9 seats, reinforcing the sense that the RJD kept the stronger constituencies for itself while pushing Congress into weak zones.

2. Pressure to Present Tejashwi Yadav as CM Face Hurt the Alliance

The review is said to have highlighted that the RJD’s aggressive push to project Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial candidate, before a collective decision, caused discomfort among several voter blocs. The simultaneous promise of making Mukesh Sahni the deputy chief minister was viewed as politically risky, reportedly unsettling upper-caste and Muslim voters. A noticeable share of Muslim votes shifted to AIMIM and JD(U), while Dalit support also weakened.

3. Tejashwi’s Image Still No Match for Nitish Kumar’s

Sources told News18 that Congress leaders acknowledged that Tejashwi Yadav struggled to match JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar‘s long-standing image of administrative experience and stability. Despite criticism of Nitish’s governance, his reputation continued to appeal to voters. The party concluded that when the alliance’s CM contender appears comparatively weak, the broader campaign machinery loses impact.

4. Late Entry and Lack of Long-Term Messaging Weakened RJD Campaign

The review reportdly also pointed out that Tejashwi Yadav’s delayed and high-tempo campaign failed to build sustained momentum. Issues such as unemployment, migration, agricultural distress and implementation of welfare schemes, leaders felt, should have been raised consistently during the years in opposition. Instead, a last-minute barrage of promises and rallies became limited to appeals focused solely on individual candidates rather than larger narrative-building.

5. BJP’s Ground Operation and ‘Jeevika Model’ Gave It a Clear Edge

Congress leaders admitted the BJP outperformed the alliance in booth-level management. Hundreds of workers were brought in from outside Bihar and deployed with resources and responsibilities. Additionally, continued payments to Jeevika women’s groups during the election period strengthened the BJP’s reach among women voters. While Congress questioned the Election Commission’s oversight, leaders said their objections during the campaign went unanswered.

6. Vote Theft Allegations and EVM Concerns

The meeting is said to have revisited claims of “vote theft", alleging coordination between the BJP and sections of the Election Commission. Rahul Gandhi attempted to raise these concerns during his yatra, but Congress’ limited organisational presence in Bihar hindered wider outreach. Leaders also criticised the RJD for not amplifying the issue with the urgency seen in West Bengal, arguing that its silence diluted the opposition’s narrative.

7. Congress to Launch Data-Based Campaign on Electoral Irregularities

As part of its new plan, the Congress will compile data on alleged vote theft, EVM tampering and statistical inconsistencies in the results. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have spoken to Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav, and outreach to other INDIA bloc partners has begun. A large rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan is being planned for December, where the party intends to take the issue national and push for collective opposition mobilisation.

News elections From Unwinnable Map To Tejashwi Factor: Why Congress Thinks It Lost Bihar Elections

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