New Delhi: After the Congress party suffered a major dent after it managed to win just 25 per cent of seats in Bihar Elections, many feel that it is a result of messed-up seat sharing of RJD by giving more seats to Congress than what was needed.
Interestingly, even Congress leaders accept this post-defeat math.
"Now when we have lost, then naturally blame will be put on someone. Yes, we agree that Congress has not performed well as compared to 2015. Last time, we had contested elections on 40 seats and had won 27 seats, while this year, we contested on 70 seats but won just 19 out of it. Surely, if Congress had contested elections on the same proportion as it did in 2015, then the situation may have been changed," Congress Rajya Sabha MP, PL Punia said, while speaking to ETV Bharat.
He further added, "Another huge factor of our loss in Bihar elections is that BJP plays a game by contesting AIMIM in Seemanchal region where they damaged Mahagathbandhan's votes."
Congress contested 70 seats, the most in Mahagathbandhan after RJD (144), but managed to win just 19 from that. While the left parties had shown a better strike rate than India's grand old party.
The analysis says that if Tejaswi Yadav hadn't accepted the demand of Congress party and had negotiated better, than the Grand Alliance's performance may have been better.
"There is no doubt that Congress has not performed well in these elections and I can assure you that it will be reviewed, after which necessary steps will be taken," said PL Punia.
Meanwhile, Congress and RJD also alleged tampering in counting for Bihar Assembly Polls, accusing the NDA of "misusing power". Both the parties even visited the Election Commission of Patna to register their complaint.
Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted later at night, "How many forgeries will see in Bihar polls? Congress candidate from Kishanganj had won by 1266 votes. BJP Candidate had gone home. But our candidate is not being given a certificate of victory. Democracy is being murdered and mandate being abducted in Bihar."
Congress' poor performance in Bihar Elections will certainly bring its leadership back in question. This may also bring the party at back-foot in seat-sharing negotiation in other states, as Congress "non-performance" in Bihar has become a major point of discussion.
When asked, Punia replied, "Mahagathbandhan has fought well in these elections. The response we got from the crowd, made us believe that we'll win. Even the Exit polls came in our favour. Though we lose these elections it is also a fact that there is not a huge difference in the vote share of NDA and Mahagathbandhan."
Congress also performed poorly in bypolls as well, including the loss in the battle of prestige in Madhya Pradesh, with the former party member Jyotiraditya Scindia who later joined BJP, leading to the fall of Congress' Government in the state.
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