After a humiliating defeat of the Congress and the Mahagathbandhan in the Bihar Assembly polls, Tariq Anwar, former Union Minister and Congress MP from Katihar spoke to The Indian Express and discussed party’s loss, its reasons and the need for introspection. Edited excerpts:
What do you make of the results and where do you think Congress and the grand alliance faltered?
Overall, I can say that this is a big setback. First, we have to see how women’s votes were secured with Rs 10,000 transferred to their accounts. It had a big impact and hence, their turnout increased. We expected that the ECI would intervene because this is against the code of conduct. Then, there were attempts to polarise the elections. The word ‘ghuspaithiya’ (infiltrators) was used by the PM. An atmosphere was created to divide Hindus and Muslims.
You have mentioned the external factors. Looking within the Congress and the RJD, what led to the defeat?
I think our high command will introspect on this soon and we will study the reasons. We will make efforts to restructure the party. Within the alliance too, there was no coordination among the allies.
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Who do you hold responsible for this lack of coordination?
Our people in positions (in the party). Our state in charge (Krishna Allavaru) and others monitoring the elections like CLP (Congress Legislative Party) leader (Shakeel Ahmad Khan) and state president Rajesh Kumar. They were responsible for the elections.
During seat sharing talks and ticket distribution, there were leaders who spoke against the three – Allavaru, Kumar and Khan. You were among the critics of ticket allocation. Did it look haphazard?
Yes, correct. The formation of committee and ticket distribution was not done properly. There should have been a criterion – like those who lost in 2020 by big margins shouldn’t have been given tickets. This wasn’t done. Those you have named – Allavaru, Kumar and Khan – didn’t play their role like they should have. If they had done well, this wouldn’t have been the results.
The Voter Adhikar Yatra was undertaken by Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi. Afterwards, he didn’t visit Bihar for two months. He was abroad too for a considerable period of time during the elections.
Rahul ji had a pre-decided programme. He was not present at the time of forming screening committee and ticket distribution. The seat sharing meeting also happened at a time when he was not here.
Have people voted on the issue of “vote chori”?
I can’t say if people have voted based on it or not.
Rahul Gandhi tried to make vote chori an election issue. Do you think he succeeded?
During the Voter Adhikar Yatra, there was a lot of momentum over the issue.
Do you think the RJD has failed to connect with communities outside M-Y formula?
Efforts were made for it by the INDIA bloc. Mukesh Sahani and IP Gupta were brought on board. Efforts were made but how much transferred is yet to be known… Rahul Gandhi also engaged with different communities.
Do you think the Congress and RJD lacked coordination?
Yes, there was no proper coordination and a joint campaign lacked. It was not planned.
Why do you think brand Tejashwi fell so short compared to brand Nitish in Bihar?
I have told you the reasons. Money has influence on everyone. No one will say they don’t want money.
Do you think the Congress needs to go back to drawing board and revisit its national narrative?
Giving money before elections must be probed. It’s like purchasing votes. It is for the ECI to intervene. They should say that parties can’t do such things with six months to go for the elections.
Should the Congress rethink its national campaign?
Yes, we need to revisit our strategy. A political party can’t run on one line. We should raise issues which will impact elections and a review should be done.