After Lalu Backing Mamata To Lead INDIA Bloc, Congress Sparks Tension With RJD With 'One Muslim Dy CM' Demand

Congress leader Shanawaz Alam's assertive stance appears to have aggravated RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, who had earlier supported West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s leadership within the INDIA bloc.

File photo of Congress leader Shanawaz Alam.

Source : X/Shahnawaz Alam

Congress leader Shanawaz Alam reignited tensions with Bihar ally RJD on Wednesday, asserting that his party would demand "two deputy chief ministers, including one Muslim" if the coalition formed the next government in the state.

Alam, an AICC secretary, and the state’s co-in-charge, faced criticism from the RJD for "violating coalition dharma," while the ruling NDA observed the dispute with amusement.

As per the report by news agency PTI, during a meeting with Congress workers as part of his state tour, Alam declared, "It is our resolve (sankalp) that if the next government is headed by Tejashwi Yadav, our party shall have two deputy CMs, one a Muslim and the other from upper castes (samanya varg)."

The Congress leader's remark seemed aimed at consolidating Congress' traditional voters, which includes Muslims, upper castes, and Dalits.

Shanawaz Alam's Remark Irk RJD

The RJD, which has benefitted from Congress' declining Muslim support, was displeased with Shanawaz Alam's recent suggestion to consider "strike rate in Lok Sabha polls" when deciding the seat-sharing formula for the Bihar Assembly elections. In the last general elections, the Congress secured only three out of the nine seats it contested, while the RJD won four out of 23.

Alam’s assertive stance appears to have aggravated RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, who had earlier supported West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s leadership within the INDIA bloc—a move seen as a snub to the the normally submissive ally.

"Congress's objection means nothing. We will support Mamata...She should be given the leadership (of the INDIA Bloc)...We will form the government again in 2025," Yadav told news agency ANI.

Mrityunjay Tiwary, a spokesman for the RJD, responded against the statement made by Alam by saying, "Such statements violate the coalition dharma. The Congress must rein in such loose cannons."

Meanwhile, JD(U) MLC Khalid Anwar dismissed Alam's focus on Muslim representation, saying, "The community cannot forget that it was under Congress rule that riots took place in Meerut, Bhagalpur, and Jabalpur.

Senior leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad had to quit, and the recent assembly elections in Bihar showed Muslim voters supporting the NDA led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachol also criticised Congress' call for a Muslim deputy CM, describing it as "politics of appeasement." He further added, "Between 2025 and 2029, there is no vacancy for the posts of CM and deputy CM in Bihar. Nitish Kumar will continue, and our party will decide who shall be his deputies."