Allies at Odds: RJD Leader Unleashes Blame on Congress for Bihar Election Debacle

Well, sometimes, after a big political battle, especially one you've lost, the gloves just come off. And that's precisely what we're seeing within the opposition ranks after the Bihar Assembly elections. A senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, Shivanand Tiwari, has really stirred the pot, publicly laying the blame for the Mahagathbandhan's (Grand Alliance) electoral defeat squarely at the feet of the Congress party. It's quite a remarkable display of internal friction, wouldn't you say?

Tiwari didn't just hint at it; he came right out and said it, in no uncertain terms. According to him, the Congress simply wasn't serious enough about the Bihar polls. He lamented that while other alliance partners were fully immersed in the grueling campaign, working tirelessly on the ground, the Congress seemed preoccupied with, dare I say, somewhat trivial matters. It paints a picture of a party detached from the grassroots struggle, a critical flaw in any election, but especially in a state like Bihar where every vote is fought for tooth and nail.

The veteran RJD leader even took a rather pointed jab at Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that the former Congress president was off on a "picnic" at a time when the campaign needed all hands on deck. Now, whether that's entirely fair or not, it certainly highlights a perception problem within the alliance, doesn't it? Such accusations from a key ally are not just whispers; they're loud shouts that speak volumes about the underlying frustration and disappointment within the RJD, a party that, by all accounts, felt it had done its part.

Let's look at the numbers, because they often tell a stark story. The Mahagathbandhan, despite putting up a spirited fight, ultimately fell short, missing the majority mark by a whisker. And where did the Congress fit into this? Well, they contested a substantial 70 seats but managed to win only a dismal 19. When you compare that to the RJD's performance – securing 75 seats and emerging as the single largest party – it's easy to see why the finger-pointing began. The RJD, it seems, felt genuinely let down, carrying a disproportionate share of the alliance's electoral burden.

Tiwari's assessment that Congress acted as a "liability" for the Mahagathbandhan isn't just a throwaway line; it encapsulates a deep-seated frustration. Imagine working hard, building momentum, and then feeling dragged down by a partner who isn't pulling their weight. That's the sentiment echoing from the RJD's camp. This isn't just about one election, mind you. It raises serious questions about the viability and strength of opposition unity moving forward, especially when national elections loom on the horizon. Can these cracks be papered over, or are they indicative of deeper, structural issues within the opposition alliance?

Ultimately, this public spat serves as a potent reminder of the challenges inherent in coalition politics. While the immediate focus is on the Bihar loss, the broader implications for the anti-BJP front are significant. For any alliance to succeed, trust, commitment, and a shared vision are paramount. And right now, it appears those very foundations are being severely tested, perhaps even crumbling, under the weight of post-election recriminations.