In a bold move to rebuild its organizational structure, the Congress party has rolled out a nationwide ‘Sangathan Srijan’ initiative aimed at appointing district presidents across India. However, the criteria set for Bihar have ignited a firestorm of discontent among party leaders and workers, who label it as utterly impractical.
Sources reveal that aspiring district presidents in Bihar must first recruit a minimum of 1,500 ‘Srijan Saathi’ members, each paying a Rs 50 membership fee. This translates to a whopping Rs 75,000 deposit into the party fund before even being considered for the post. With multiple candidates vying for a single position, the financial burden falls heavily on hopefuls, many of whom see it as a barrier rather than a merit test.
The requirements cascade down the hierarchy. Block president aspirants need 200 members, shelling out Rs 10,000 upfront. For state-level roles like vice president, the tally jumps to 1,500 members, while general secretaries must secure 1,000. Critics argue this cash-heavy model alienates grassroots workers in a state where Congress has languished out of power for decades.
Bihar’s Congress unit is reeling from recent assembly election drubbings, with morale at rock bottom and organizational strength skeletal at best. Party insiders whisper of widespread frustration, though high command has clamped down on public dissent, urging silence on public platforms.
‘Why demand Rs 50 per member when national membership is just Rs 5?’ question aggrieved workers. They contend that in economically challenged Bihar, such steep fees deter genuine loyalists and favor those with deep pockets, undermining the very organizational revival the initiative promises. As murmurs grow louder behind closed doors, the success of ‘Sangathan Srijan’ hangs in balance, testing Congress’s ability to unite rather than divide its ranks.