Bihar Congress gets down to finding new president

Patna: The beleaguered Congress' crisis-ridden Bihar unit is now saddled with finding a new president following the resignation of Madan Mohan Jha, who held the post for nearly four years. Jha tendered his resignation in New Delhi on Thursday after a meeting with Rahul Gandhi.

The state Congress is yet to come out with an official word on the development. However, AICC national general secretary Tariq Anwar told PTI, "The need for having a new man to head the Bihar unit was being felt for quite some time. Jha, who is a senior leader, a former state minister and currently a member of the legislative council, has cleared the path by resigning gracefully."

"The party high command is now vetting the names of prospective candidates for the new state president. A final decision will be taken in due course," said the former Union minister.

Anwar did not divulge any names under consideration, but the Sadaqat Ashram here, which has been the state Congress headquarters since before Independence, resembles a beehive, buzzing with speculations about who will fit the bill. Party sources claiming to be in the know of things asserted that the new state Congress chief will be either a Muslim or a Dalit or someone from the upper castes, preferably a Bhumihar.

This would be in line with the party's strategy to revive itself in a state where it has come to be seen as a spent force.