Congress releases first list of candidates for Bihar polls, state unit chief Rajesh Ram fielded from Kutumba

By_shalini oraon

the significance and implications of the Congress party fielding its Bihar unit chief, Rajesh Ram, from the Kutumba assembly seat, expanding on the brief news announcement.

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A Strategic Gambit: Decoding Congress’s Move to Field Rajesh Ram from Kutumba

The release of a party’s first candidate list for a high-stakes election is always a carefully choreographed political act, laden with signals and strategy. When the Indian National Congress, as part of the opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar, announced its initial list for the upcoming state polls, one particular candidature stood out: that of its state unit president, Rajesh Ram, from the Kutumba (SC-reserved) assembly constituency. This decision is far more than a simple ticket allocation; it is a multi-layered strategic gambit that reveals the Congress’s assessment of its own weaknesses, its ambitions within the alliance, and its overarching plan to reassert itself in the complex political landscape of Bihar.

1. The Symbolism of “Leading from the Front”

The most immediate interpretation of fielding the state party chief is the projection of a “do or die” commitment. By placing its most senior organizational leader in the electoral fray, the Congress sends a powerful message to its cadres, allies, and voters:

· Accountability and Confidence: It demonstrates that the leadership is not confined to air-conditioned offices in Patna but is willing to step into the political battlefield and be directly accountable to the people. This is intended to galvanize a demoralized and often lethargic party machinery across the state. If the chief is fighting for his own political survival, the entire organization is compelled to rally behind him, creating a focal point for the campaign.
· A “Captain’s Innings”: The move is framed as the political equivalent of a cricket captain leading from the front by taking the most challenging pitch. For a party that has been a junior partner to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for over a decade, this is an attempt to project strength, decisiveness, and a hunger for victory that has been perceived as lacking.

2. The Micro-Strategy: The Choice of Kutumba

The selection of the specific constituency—Kutumba, an SC-reserved seat in the Aurangabad district—is a masterclass in micro-level political calculus.

· Caste Dynamics and the Dalit Vote: Kutumba falls within the broader Magadh region, an area where the influence of the Dalit castes, particularly the Ravidas (Chamar) community to which Rajesh Ram belongs, is significant. By fielding a prominent Dalit leader from a reserved seat, the Congress aims to consolidate its base among the Most Backward Classes (MBCs) and Scheduled Castes. This is a direct challenge to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), which has historically wielded influence among these groups through its alliance with the BJP and its own brand of social engineering.
· A Direct Confrontation: The BJP and JD(U), under the NDA alliance, have a stronghold in this region. By pitching its state president here, the Congress is signaling its intent to take the fight directly into the enemy’s camp. A victory in Kutumba would not just be one seat gained; it would be a major symbolic blow to the NDA, demonstrating the Congress’s resurgence and its ability to breach what were considered impregnable fortresses.
· Negotiating from a Position of Strength (or Perceived Strength): Within the Mahagathbandhan, seat-sharing is a delicate and often contentious process. By declaring its state chief’s candidature early from a winnable seat, the Congress is staking a strong claim. It signals to the RJD and other allies that it is serious about contesting and winning key constituencies, and thus deserves a respectable share of seats, potentially including more plum constituencies than it has received in the past.

3. The Macro-Strategy: Rebuilding the Congress Brand in Bihar

Beyond the immediate electoral contest, this move is a critical component of the Congress’s long-term strategy to revive its fortunes in a state where it has been relegated to the margins.

· Combating Invisibility: One of the Congress’s biggest problems in Bihar has been its lack of a strong, recognizable local face with mass appeal. While the RJD has Tejashwi Yadav and the BJP has a galaxy of leaders, the Congress has struggled. By making Rajesh Ram a candidate, the party ensures that its chief face is constantly in the media, touring the state, and becoming a household name. His campaign becomes the Congress’s campaign.
· The “Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli” Model: There is a historical precedent for this strategy. In 1999, Sonia Gandhi, then Congress President, chose to contest from the Amethi (Lok Sabha) constituency in Uttar Pradesh, a state crucial for the party’s revival. Her candidature electrified the party base and brought national focus to the state unit. While the scale is different, the logic is similar: using the top leader’s candidature to inject energy and purpose into a moribund organization.
· Preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections: The 2025 Bihar assembly polls are a crucial semi-final before the 2024 general elections. A strong performance by the Congress in Bihar is essential for the opposition’s national prospects. By establishing a strong local leadership and winning assembly seats, the Congress aims to build a robust foundation for the Lok Sabha battle, where it hopes to be a more dominant force within the INDIA bloc.

4. Potential Risks and Challenges

However, this high-reward strategy is fraught with equally high risks.

· The Ultimate Gamble: If Rajesh Ram loses from Kutumba, it would be a catastrophic blow to the party’s morale and credibility. The state president’s defeat would be interpreted as a wholesale rejection of the Congress by the electorate, undermining the entire campaign and leaving the party directionless. It would weaken the Congress’s position within the Mahagathbandhan and embolden its opponents.
· Neglect of Organizational Duties: Fighting a high-stakes electoral battle in one constituency is a full-time job. This could lead to a perceived or actual neglect of his duties as the state president, who is supposed to oversee the campaign strategy, candidate selection, and organizational management across all 243 constituencies. The party will need a very strong second-rung leadership to manage the state-wide operations.
· Internal Dissent: The decision to field the chief from a “winnable” seat might cause heartburn among local aspirants in Kutumba and other leaders who may have eyed that ticket. Managing this internal friction will be key to presenting a united front.


The Congress’s decision to field state president Rajesh Ram from Kutumba is a bold and calculated move that transcends a mere candidate announcement. It is a strategic pivot aimed at addressing multiple challenges simultaneously: reviving cadre morale, consolidating a crucial voter base, challenging the NDA on its home turf, and strengthening the party’s bargaining power within the opposition alliance. It is an attempt to transform the narrative around the Congress in Bihar from that of a passive, dependent ally to an assertive, fighting force.

The Kutumba constituency has now been transformed from a local electoral battle into a bellwether for the Congress’s future in Bihar. A victory here will be portrayed as a vindication of this aggressive strategy and could potentially mark the beginning of a Congress resurgence. A loss, however, could reinforce its status as a fading force. As the campaign heats up, all eyes will be on Kutumba, where the Congress has chosen to stake not just a seat, but its prestige and perhaps its very relevance in the future of Bihar’s politics.