Bihar Elections 2025: Congress Faces Setback as Rahul Gandhi Absent and Leaders Express Dismay
The Congress party faced a significant setback in the Bihar elections of 2025, marking one of its worst performances in the state’s electoral history. Despite having contested for 70 seats, Congress only managed to secure six, a sharp decline from 19 seats in the previous election.
Bihar Elections 2025: Factors Behind Congress’s Setback
The results highlighted a deepening disconnect between Congress leaders and the electorate. Many party insiders attributed this to the absence of Rahul Gandhi, who failed to maintain a consistent campaign presence. Following an initial campaign titled ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra,’ which spanned over 1,300 kilometers across 23 districts in 16 days, Gandhi’s sudden disappearance left voters dissatisfied.
Key Outcomes and Competitors
- Congress won seats in Kishanganj, Manihari, Forbesganj, Valmiki Nagar, Chanpatia, and Araria.
- It lost crucial seats to the BJP, JDU, and Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party.
- The BJP leveraged significant campaign resources, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who headlined 14 rallies.
As the Congress struggled with internal discontent and public disillusionment, the BJP presented a cohesive strategy focused on job creation and infrastructure development in Bihar. Rahul Gandhi’s absence became a significant point of contention among Congress campaigners, many of whom expressed frustration over the lack of a clear leadership presence.
Alliance Dynamics and Discontent
The Congress’s partnerships with key allies like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also faced strain during the election campaign. Allies criticized the Congress for appearing uncoordinated and not fully supportive of common candidates.
Tejashwi Yadav emerged as a prominent figure who energized opposition efforts in Bihar, contrasting sharply with Congress’s perceived indecisiveness. Observers noted that, unlike previous elections where Yadav galvanized local support, the Congress party’s failure to adapt and respond adequately led to disappointing results.
Reflecting on the Future
Following the election, Congress leaders voiced concerns over the party’s organizational weaknesses and strategy misalignments. Senior figures emphasized the need for significant internal reflection, calling for accountability and strategic realignment moving forward.
The disheartening results from the Bihar elections add to the growing list of defeats for Rahul Gandhi. Critics have since highlighted that the Congress must urgently reconsider its approach to revive its image as a viable alternative in Indian politics ahead of future elections.
