Congress's Bihar reboot faces internal revolt, triggers 'posts for money' row
The Congress is attempting its most ambitious organisational overhaul in years through the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, a nationwide exercise designed to rebuild the party from
The Congress is attempting its most ambitious organisational overhaul in years through the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, a nationwide exercise designed to rebuild the party from the grassroots. At the heart of the initiative is the creation of a centralised digital database of members and office-bearers, with the leadership hoping to modernise the organisation and make it more cadre-driven. But even before the campaign went gone national, its pilot project in Bihar has become the centre of a fierce internal battle. Read Full Story The Bihar unit's digital membership drive, touted as a model that could eventually be replicated across the country, is drawing criticism from within the party, with several senior leaders alleging that the new system effectively allows organisational posts to be secured through money rather than merit. BIHAR PILOT PROJECT Launched in April under the banner 'Sangathan Srijan Sathi', the Bihar Congress has rolled out a digital membership drive in which each membership costs Rs 50. According to party leaders, the exercise is around 70 per cent complete, with more than three lakh members already enrolled. The campaign is expected to conclude by the end of July. Membership is being carried out exclusively through a dedicated mobile application developed for the Bihar Congress. Each registered mobile number can enrol up to four members, while every applicant must upload a Voter ID card and a selfie for verification. MEMBERSHIP TO LEADERSHIP Unlike previous organisational exercises, the Bihar model directly links membership mobilisation to eligibility for party posts. Under the new framework, a party worker must enrol 3,000 members to qualify for the post of Vice President, 2,000 members to become General Secretary, 1,000 members to be eligible for the post of Secretary, and 200 members to secure a Prakhand-level organisational position.
The Congress leadership says the criteria are designed to make appointments performance-based, rewarding those who expand the party's grassroots base rather than those who rely on lobbying or personal connections. Supporters of the model argue that the system replaces lobbying and patronage with measurable organisational work, rewarding those who can expand the party's base. POSTS FOR MONEY? The same formula has also become the biggest source of controversy. Several veteran leaders and dissidents have opposed the exercise, with some reportedly asking workers in their constituencies not to participate. Complaints have also reached the Congress high command in Delhi, with critics alleging that aspirants are being forced to spend large sums on enroling members simply to remain competitive for organisational positions. "Now anyone can buy designations in the party by spending around Rs 1.5 lakh. One can become a district president. That is what is happening. In Gandhi ji's party, positions seem to be on sale. You can buy memberships and become leaders," a party leader told India Today TV. DIGITAL DISSENSIONS The rebellion has increasingly played out in public. Several Congress leaders have criticised the exercise on social media, alleging that organisational reforms are being used to collect money. Posters and WhatsApp messages targeting Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru and state president Rajesh Ram have also circulated widely. Another senior leader has claimed that the system could allow individuals with no ideological commitment to the Congress, even alleged BJP supporters, to enter the organisation simply by purchasing memberships. "It's not only workers. Many senior leaders are against this drive and say it's all a farce. Fake members are being created for the sake of posts. People who have never been associated with the Congress ideology can enter the organisation simply by purchasing memberships," the leader claimed.
The BriefWire