‘All is not well in Bihar Congress’: Tariq Anwar flags internal rift

Congress MP from Katihar, Tariq Anwar, on Saturday indicated that all is not well within the Bihar Congress, alleging attempts to weaken the party. Speaking to the media, he raised several questions about its internal functioning.

Addressing reporters after the resignation of Katihar Rural District Congress President Sunil Yadav, Anwar made significant remarks on organisational changes. He asserted that Katihar, once considered a stronghold of the Congress, has been weakened due to recent developments within the organisation.

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Growing factionalism within the party has become apparent recently through a series of developments, including the alleged cross-voting by Manihari MLA Manohar Prasad in the Rajya Sabha elections, serious allegations levelled by former Congress Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan against Anwar, and the recent resignation of the Katihar district president.

Anwar said that former Congress president and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has also acknowledged the presence of “sleeper cells” within the party that are attempting to weaken it. According to him, similar elements are active in Bihar as well. He emphasised that the Congress central leadership needs to intervene at the earliest.

Anwar reiterated that, given his role in the disciplinary committee, he cannot comment extensively in public. However, he said that the issues concerning the Bihar Congress had been conveyed to the national leadership and indicated that significant changes may take place in the near future.

He added that he has informed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in writing about the situation and has sought his intervention.

Anwar has long been critical of Bihar Congress State President Rajesh Ram.

Responding to Anwar’s remarks, senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan accused him of unnecessarily targeting a Dalit leader chosen by the party as the state president.