Congress Softens Stand After Rajya Sabha Setback in Jharkhand, Calls for Alliance Unity

Ranchi: Three days after a bitter war of words erupted within the ruling alliance following the Rajya Sabha election results in Jharkhand, the Congress appears to have shifted to damage-control mode, emphasizing alliance unity and urging restraint among coalition partners.

At a press conference held at Congress Bhavan on Saturday, party leaders sought to tone down the sharp rhetoric that followed the unexpected defeat of Congress-backed Rajya Sabha candidate Pranav Jha. Senior Congress leaders and ministers, who had earlier fired strong salvos against alliance partners, now stressed the need to preserve the Mahagathbandhan and prevent the BJP from exploiting internal differences.

Reacting to the surprising outcome despite the alliance’s claimed support of 56 MLAs, Congress leaders demanded a thorough review of the election while expressing concerns over possible cross-voting. The party alleged that the defeat was the result of the influence of “money power” and accused the BJP of attempting to create divisions within the alliance for political gain.

Congress leaders maintained that all party MLAs voted loyally for the alliance-backed candidate and argued that the election result raises serious questions that require careful examination. They said that if the declared strength of the Mahagathbandhan did not translate into votes, it should become a matter of collective introspection for all alliance partners.

The party also highlighted the efforts made by Chief Minister Hemant Soren in formulating the alliance’s election strategy and expressed confidence that he would conduct a comprehensive review of the developments. Congress leaders said the party’s central leadership is in touch with top leaders of alliance partners and is closely monitoring the situation.

Calling for political maturity, Congress appealed to coalition allies to avoid public accusations and counter-allegations. According to party leaders, the focus should remain on understanding the reasons behind the defeat rather than engaging in a blame game that could weaken the alliance.

Addressing concerns over the election outcome, senior minister Radhakrishna Kishore described the alliance as strong and enduring. He asserted that the coalition would remain united despite the setback and stressed that all partners must work together to safeguard its future. He also urged restraint in public statements, particularly at a time when the alliance is assessing the reasons behind the defeat.

Congress leaders further criticized the BJP, saying that one Rajya Sabha victory should not be interpreted as a larger political shift in Jharkhand. They argued that the state’s political landscape continues to be dominated by the Mahagathbandhan and accused the BJP of relying on financial influence to secure electoral gains.

The party reiterated its commitment to social justice, constitutional values, and the development of Jharkhand, while emphasizing that a fair review of the election results is necessary to identify the causes behind the unexpected outcome and strengthen the alliance going forward.