Editor’s Note
This article reports on the Congress party’s criticism of election officials following its performance in the Bihar polls. The claims made by the party are presented here as allegations.
Amid the clear lead of the BJP-JDU-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the results of the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections 2025, the Congress has blamed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar for its poor performance. The party accused the Election Commission of “colluding” with the ruling party in the state and turning a blind eye to cash and other benefits given to voters despite the Model Code of Conduct.
The Congress is leading on only 5 seats in Bihar, while the BJP is leading on 81 seats, JDU on 80 seats, LJP(RV) on 22 seats, RJD on 33 seats, CPI(ML)(L) on 6 seats, and HAMS on 4 seats. The NDA is well ahead of the majority mark with 200 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan is leading on only 57 seats.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said on Friday (14 November) that the Election Commission was colluding with the ruling party in Bihar. He alleged that the Election Commission took no action regarding the distribution of benefits, including Rs 10,000 to women, during the election campaign.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore said on X, “What would you expect on the result day when 65 lakh voters, most of whom are opposition voters, are removed?” He added, “Democracy cannot survive if the playing field is tilted even before the match begins.”
Senior Congress leader Pawan Kheda said the results of the Bihar elections 2025 are due to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He said the initial trends themselves show that Gyanesh Kumar is working against the people of Bihar. “This fight is not between BJP, Congress, RJD and JDU, but it is directly between Gyanesh Kumar and the people of India.”
Congress leader Udit Raj also claimed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted by the Election Commission caused the Congress’s defeat in the Bihar elections.