Cong in damage control, says ready to drink ‘poison’ for unity of alliance

Congress Initiates Damage Control Amid INDIA Alliance Tensions

Cong in damage control says ready – Following two days of accusations and rebuttals between INDIA bloc allies over the Rajya Sabha election outcomes, the Congress party launched a campaign to restore harmony on Saturday. The party emphasized its commitment to unity, vowing to uphold the alliance’s integrity despite internal friction and the BJP’s attempts to sow discord.

Press Conference to Reassure Allies

At a press briefing held at the state headquarters, Congress leaders, led by state president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh, joined by party legislators, addressed concerns about their candidate’s performance. They asserted that the allegations against their in-charge, K Raju, by both the RJD and BJP were unfounded, urging allies to avoid public disputes and focus on collective goals.

“We are up against a demonic force led by the BJP. Our struggle extends beyond this election. The outcome was influenced by the BJP’s wealthy candidate, who secured victory through advantage. We acknowledge the need for adjustments within the alliance, which the top leadership is currently examining. The alliance’s strength remains unshaken,” said Congress legislature party leader Pradeep Yadav.

State finance minister Radha Krishna Kishore echoed this sentiment, praising Raju’s leadership. “The criticism leveled against our in-charge is unfortunate. I haven’t seen a better leader in my political career. We will not let the BJP divide the INDIA bloc. If necessary, we are ready to accept any criticism for the alliance’s unity,” he added.

Behind the Scenes: A Clash of Allegations

The damage control effort followed a two-day debate between Congress, RJD, and CPI (ML-L) leaders. The conflict began with Raju’s claim that the Congress candidate lost due to RJD and Left party legislators’ cross-voting. Some Congress members called for the CM to remove RJD from the state government.

In response, RJD leaders accused Raju of being “bikau” (disloyal) and alleged he encouraged cross-voting among RJD members. They too pressed the CM to consider Congress’s removal. The Left party joined the fray, expressing disagreement with Raju’s claims and writing to the Congress national president and the chief minister.

About the Author

Vishal Kant serves as an Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, specializing in coverage of the Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi’s governance. With a decade of experience in city politics and urban development, he has also contributed to reports on Delhi’s civic infrastructure and transportation systems.