Bihar Congress appoints Dalit leader as PCC President sends a strong message to allies and voters

The Congress Party has been grappling with a series of challenges in Bihar over the past several decades. Once a dominant force in Indian politics & in Bihar, the party has found itself out of power in the state for several years, with its core voter base eroded and organizational structures in disarray.

For a significant period, Congress has been forced to play a secondary role, often aligning with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at bay. However, with elections looming later this year, Congress is now determined to regain its foothold in Bihar and assert its political influence.

As part of its renewed strategy, the Congress Party is making significant moves, with a particular focus on consolidating the Dalit vote bank. The decision to appoint a new state president, Rajesh Kumar, a Dalit leader, is a clear indication of the party’s intent.

Out of 243 seats, 38 are reserved for SC and total 19% voters are dalits. Congress is eyeing this vote bank to improve its position in the state.

Also Read: Nitish Kumar Biography: Personal Life, Education, Family and Political Career

Turning point for Bihar’s dalits

Bihar has a long history of dalit leadership, with March 22, 1968, marking a watershed moment in Indian political history. On this day, Bhola Paswan Shastri became the Chief Minister of Bihar. He was perhaps the first dalit CM in India.

Paswan’s rise was supported by a coalition of socialist parties, the Janata Party, and independent legislators, and his first tenure though short-lived, was enough to prove the influence of dalits in Bihar.

Congress inclination towards Dalit leaders

Increasing inclination towards Dalit Leaders Off late, Congress inclination towards Dalit leaders has only increased. In Punjab, when the question of replacing CM Amarinder Singh came, party chose dalit leader Charanjeet Singh Channi. In Rajasthan too, Dalit leader Tikaram Jully was appointed as LoP. Party President Kharge is a dalit leader himself. Gaddam Prasad Kumar, a Dalit leader was chosen to be the Speaker of Telangana Assembly. .Just before the voting in Haryana election, Ashok Tanwar a prominent leader of Dalits made a surprising return to the party fold.

Rajesh Kumar's appointment: another strategic shift : On Tuesday evening, the Congress Party made a crucial move by appointing Rajesh Kumar as the new president of the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee. Kumar, a two-time legislator from the Kutumba and a prominent Dalit leader, is seen as the right candidate to connect with the Dalit electorate.

His appointment signals a deliberate shift in Congress’s focus, aiming to revitalize its position among the state's Dalit population. He takes the place of Akhilesh Prasad Singh who is from Bhumihar community and the gives a clear message that Congress wants to make the dalit voters happy.

Moreover, On February 5, 2025, Rahul Gandhi addressed a gathering in Patna to commemorate the birth anniversary of Jaglal Choudhary, a prominent Dalit leader who was the first Dalit minister of Bihar. Choudhary's legacy is intertwined with the fight for Dalit rights and equality, a cause that aligns with Congress’s current political message. Gandhi’s tribute to Choudhary was not just an act of remembrance but also a clear political signal to Bihar’s Dalit voters ahead of the upcoming elections.

Similarly, Rahul Gandhi marked the birth anniversary of another influential Dalit leader, Babu Jagdev Prasad, on February 2, 2025.

Also Read: Nishant Kumar Biography: Early Life, Education, Family and Political Career

Focusing on youth: Naukri do palayan roko yatra

The party has also placed a renewed emphasis on youth and student organizations, with a focus on issues that resonate with the electorate. Just recently, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge appointed Krishna Allavaru as the party’s Bihar in-charge. Allavaru, considered a key member of Rahul Gandhi’s team, was tasked with initiating a padyatra (foot march) focused on employment issues. This march, which began on March 16, 2025, is part of a larger effort to connect with Bihar's young voters and mobilize them on issues such as job creation, education,