Patna: What began as a routine arrival at Patna airport turned chaotic on Wednesday evening as Bihar Congress workers clashed among themselves over allegations of ticket-selling and favouritism, just days before the nomination deadline on October 17. The incident has laid bare growing internal rifts within the party’s state unit.
Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram, state in-charge Krishna Allavaru, and senior leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan returned from Delhi to face angry party workers accusing the leadership of “betraying loyal members.” Witnesses said the situation escalated when a group of supporters from the Bikram constituency alleged that party tickets were being sold to wealthy newcomers, sidelining grassroots workers.
As tempers flared, scuffles broke out near the terminal, forcing airport authorities and police to intervene. The chaos underscored mounting resentment within the Bihar Congress, where long-time workers have complained about corruption and bias in ticket allocation.
Sources revealed that after two days of meetings in Delhi, the Congress high command has finalised around 60 candidates but has not released the official list. Some selected contenders have reportedly been informed over the phone, deepening frustration among others still waiting for confirmation.
“The resentment has been simmering for days. Tickets are being distributed not on merit but through money and influence in Delhi. The anger was bound to spill out,” a senior Congress functionary said on condition of anonymity.
The timing of the clash is particularly damaging for the Congress, which is engaged in sensitive seat-sharing talks with allies Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Left parties under the INDIA bloc. Sources indicate that RJD is likely to contest around 136 seats, Congress 60–62, Left parties 30, and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) about 18.
Trying to calm tensions, senior leader Ashok Gehlot said, “I believe the decision will be made in a day or two. Discussions are underway, and I think a final call will be taken soon.”
Bihar will vote in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting scheduled for November 14. Meanwhile, Congress state leaders were expected to meet RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday, though no update on that meeting was available at the time of reporting.
