Rajesh Ram- Will The State Congress President Opt For Backward Candidates?

As the state assembly elections loom on the horizon, the Congress party is fervently striving to reclaim its former stature. At the helm of these efforts is Rajesh Ram, the dynamic state president, who is often heard fervently declaring his commitment to prioritizing backward and reserved category candidates in the ticket distribution process. Remarkably, he is reportedly intent on reserving a mere 15% of the tickets for upper caste candidates source says. Currently, five upper caste sitting MLAs hold their positions, and the party faces a delicate balancing act in issuing tickets. Adding to the intrigue, the brother of the renowned journalist Ravish Kumar has emerged as a pivotal figure, acting as a go-between for the Congress state in-charge and the influential Lalu Yadav, seemingly positioning himself as a contender for a coveted ticket sources says.  This connection brings heightened complexities, as he hails from a Brahmin background while an ex-state chief, a Bhumihar belonging to the upper caste, is adamantly vying for a ticket for his son. Ignoring his demands will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge for the party's high command source says.

The Congress party has set its sights on contesting forty seats, which translates to just six seats for upper caste aspirants, a stark decline that has not gone unnoticed. The upper caste hopefuls, realizing their diminishing chances, have begun shying away from the Sadaquat Ashram, the party's headquarters in Patna, seeking opportunities elsewhere. Meanwhile, Rajesh Ram, the sitting MLA from Aurangabad district, has skillfully convinced the party leadership to endorse a ticket for his wife, allowing him the freedom to actively campaign throughout the state. Complicating the scenario further, the RJD is mounting substantial pressure on the Congress to limit the number of tickets allocated to Muslim candidates source says. This plethora of competing interests and pressures on the party is anticipated to escalate in the coming days, necessitating a deft and strategic approach from the Congress to navigate these turbulent waters source says.