Bihar Congress Veteran Ashok Kumar Switches to JD(U)

Rapid summary

• Senior Bihar Congress leader Ashok Kumar (Ram) joined the ruling Janata Dal (United), citing lack of respect for Dalits in the Congress party.
• Ashok Ram is a six-time MLA and was a prominent Dalit face in the Congress,serving as State legislature Party leader and member of the Congress Working Committee.
• He quit ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled padyatra across 18 districts starting August 10 and alleged that Congress acts as a “B-team” for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
• Ram praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s efforts for Dalits, saying these were key reasons for joining JD(U).
• JD(U) leaders claimed his move would strengthen their party’s organization while criticizing the diminishing role of Congress in Bihar politics.
• Congress sources noted internal differences with state in-charge Krishna Allavaru and suggested Ram wanted an election ticket for his son Atirek Kumar.
• Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming visit makes this defection a notable setback for the Bihar Pradesh congress Committee.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Ashok Ram’s defection underscores growing dissatisfaction among senior leaders within Bihar’s state-level political hierarchy. His accusations against the Congress regarding its attitude towards Dalits could impact perceptions among voters from marginalized communities, particularly as elections approach. This shift presents challenges to both JD(U) and its opposition counterparts; while JD(U) sees an organizational boost, ensuring sustained allegiance among new members remains crucial. For the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee, this loss may amplify existing tensions amid speculation about internal leadership dynamics over candidate selection during election preparation. Political strategy around caste portrayal is poised to play an influential role in reshaping electoral narratives leading up to upcoming State Assembly polls.Read More: The Hindu Article on Ashok Ram Joining JD(U)