Overview
- The six legislators were absent from the Congress’s annual Dahi-Chura gathering at Sadaqat Ashram in Patna on Makar Sankranti, a tradition seen as a show of unity.
- Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram said attendance was not required and that MLAs were encouraged to mark the festival in their constituencies.
- Party insiders described rising tensions after the recent assembly poll setback, and reports note the six have kept their distance from party events, including a meeting last week.
- A minister in Nitish Kumar’s government claimed the MLAs are in touch with the NDA and could cross over after Kharmas, a statement not backed by any formal move.
- Any defection by all six would further weaken Congress in the Bihar Assembly and could alter the state’s coalition arithmetic.