Patna, Bihar: Tensions within the Bihar Congress reached a boiling point on Wednesday evening when party workers turned violent at Patna Airport, attacking senior Congress leaders returning from Delhi. The leaders — Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru, state president Rajesh Ram, and MLA Shakeel Ahmad Khan — were surrounded, shouted down, and allegedly assaulted by enraged party workers accusing them of selling assembly election tickets for ₹5 crore.
Protest Turns Violent as Leaders Arrive from Delhi
According to eyewitnesses, the situation spiraled out of control shortly after the leaders’ flight landed in Patna. As Krishna Allavaru and Rajesh Ram exited the terminal, dozens of furious Congress workers gathered outside, chanting slogans and blocking their convoy.
What started as a verbal protest quickly escalated when some agitators tried to stop the leaders’ vehicles and pelted them with objects. In the chaos, a few leaders’ aides and local supporters were reportedly manhandled. Witnesses said the scene resembled a “battlefield” as police and airport security rushed to disperse the crowd.
Accusations of ₹5 Crore Ticket Deal
The protesters, reportedly from the Bikram Assembly constituency, accused state leadership of selling tickets for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. They alleged that the Bikram seat was “sold for ₹5 crore” to a preferred candidate.
“Congress has become a market for tickets. The hardworking grassroots workers are being ignored,” shouted one angry worker, holding a placard against the state leadership.
Slogans such as “Shame on corrupt leaders” and “Ticket bechne wale, wapas jao” (Those who sell tickets, go back) echoed through the airport premises.
Leaders Escape Amid Airport Chaos
Fearing escalation, Krishna Allavaru and Rajesh Ram were swiftly escorted out by security personnel. Sources said both leaders narrowly escaped physical assault, while some of their supporters were beaten up during the commotion.
Shakeel Ahmad Khan also faced heavy backlash, with workers chanting “Shakeel Ahmad chor hai” (Shakeel Ahmad is a thief). The situation was brought under control after several minutes of chaos, but not before causing major embarrassment for the party ahead of elections.
Meeting with Tejashwi Yadav After the Incident
Following the incident, Congress leaders reportedly held an emergency meeting with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to discuss the unfolding crisis within the Mahagathbandhan alliance. Sources suggest that the discussion focused on seat-sharing tensions and the need to prevent further internal dissent that could damage the alliance’s image before polls.
Internal Rift in Bihar Congress Deepens
The violent episode at Patna Airport highlights the growing rift and resentment among Congress workers over ticket distribution and leadership decisions. With the Bihar Assembly elections approaching, the Mahagathbandhan faces increasing pressure to maintain unity amid accusations of favoritism and corruption.
Political observers believe this latest controversy could severely dent Congress’s credibility among grassroots workers, especially at a time when the party is already struggling to stay relevant in Bihar’s shifting political landscape.
A major uproar erupted at Patna Airport on Wednesday when angry Congress workers attacked party leaders Krishna Allavaru and Rajesh Ram, accusing them of selling election tickets for ₹5 crore. The incident, linked to internal conflicts over seat distribution within the Mahagathbandhan alliance, forced the leaders to flee for safety. The chaos underscores the deepening crisis within the Bihar Congress just months before the 2025 assembly elections.