Congress workers clash during poll review meet at Madhubani

Madhubani: Tensions within the district Congress unit spilled over into a scuffle on Tuesday when party workers clashed inside the district Congress office, even as senior leaders, including state president Rajesh Ram and former legislature party leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan, were present.The incident occurred during a review meeting convened to assess the party’s poor performance in the recently concluded assembly elections, in which the Congress failed to win a single seat in the district.What began as a meeting for introspection and organisational strengthening soon turned chaotic. Heated arguments over ticket distribution, alleged irregularities and responsibility for the defeat escalated into a physical confrontation.Eyewitnesses said workers belonging to rival factions traded blows, using lathis, batons, chairs and even Congress flagpoles. The clash was reportedly triggered by allegations of bungling in ticket distribution raised by aggrieved aspirants. No injuries were reported, and the situation was brought under control after senior party workers intervened.Addressing the gathering later, Shakeel Ahmad Khan expressed concern over the incident and urged workers to raise grievances at appropriate party forums instead of resorting to violence or vandalism.Subsequently, Rajesh Ram, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and a large number of party workers marched to Station Chowk, where they garlanded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and appealed to party members to remain united and disciplined.The clash has laid bare deep internal rifts within the district Congress unit, amid sustained criticism of leadership decisions during the election campaign, particularly over ticket allocation and alliance management with partners such as the RJD.The party’s poor electoral performance has intensified frustration among grassroots workers, many of whom have accused the leadership of favouritism and mismanagement. The Madhubani episode highlights the organisational challenges facing the Congress as it attempts to regroup ahead of future elections.