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Afaq Alam accuses Bihar Congress leaders Rajesh Ram, Krishna Allavaru, and Shakeel Ahmed Khan of selling tickets, demanding Rahul Gandhi’s probe.
Congress MLA Afaq Alam. (X)
In the run-up to the Bihar Assembly election, dissent grew within the Mahagathbandhan after sitting Congress MLA and former minister Afaq Alam launched a campaign against his own party after being denied a ticket from the Kasbah seat, making serious allegations against Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram, state in-charge Krishna Allavaru, and CLP leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan of allegedly demanding money in exchange for election tickets.
Alleging that the senior leadership of the Bihar Congress was extorting money for tickets, Alam demanded an investigation by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The name of former MP Pappu Yadav has also been mentioned in the unfolding controversy.
A three-time MLA from the Kasbah constituency, Alam claimed that his ticket was cut because he could not pay the alleged bribe.
On Saturday, the Congress Election Committee had released the names of five more candidates, with the party nominating Mohammad Irfan Alam for the Kasba Assembly constituency, replacing the three-time sitting MLA.
“The party’s clean image has been maligned. I want to very clearly state that money has been extorted by Rajesh Ram, Allavaru, and Shakeel Ahamed Khan. There are some other leaders as well who have made the Mahagathbandhan (‘Grand Alliance’) impure. Rahul Gandhi-ji must intervene and investigate into the ticket distribution,” Alam said in a video message on X.
Meanwhile, an audio of Afaq Alam speaking with Rajesh Ram has gone viral. In the 3-minute 16-second clip, Afaq discusses the ticket issue while Rajesh Ram claims, “I have finalised it, but it is held up ahead.” The authenticity of the audio has not been independently verified.
The accusations have triggered a political storm, with BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya saying, “After allegations of selling tickets for money in RJD, now Congress is also accused. Congress MLA Afak Alam from Purnia has said that Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram, in-charge Krishna Alwaru, and CLP leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan collected money in exchange for tickets. Pappu Yadav’s name has also come up,” he said in a post on X.
राजद में पैसे लेकर टिकट बेचने के आरोपों के बाद अब कांग्रेस पर भी आरोप। पूर्णिया से कांग्रेस विधायक अफाक आलम ने कहा है कि बिहार कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष राजेश राम, प्रभारी कृष्णा अल्वारू और CLP नेता शकील अहमद खान ने टिकट के बदले पैसे वसूले। पप्पू यादव का नाम भी आया।pic.twitter.com/e7UIIoGczI— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) October 19, 2025
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also took a jibe at the opposition, saying that their alliance is essentially a Maha Gaanth Bandhan.
“After RJD “ticket for sale” now Congress vs Congress in ticket distribution. After Tariq Anwar – now a sitting Congress MLA makes serious allegations in a now viral audio conversation with Congress Bihar President. Rajesh Ram alludes to shots being called by Pappu Yadav & High Command for certain considerations and how he is powerless. The MGB is essentially a Maha Gaanth Bandhan. Where is the Mission or Vision. It’s only division and confusion!” he said in a post on X.
After RJD “ticket for sale” now Congress vs Congress in ticket distributionAfter Tariq Anwar – now a sitting Congress MLA makes serious allegations in a now viral audio conversation with Congress Bihar President
Rajesh Ram alludes to shots being called by Pappu Yadav & High… pic.twitter.com/aRBoJIkZVv
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) October 19, 2025
The latest accusations came days after RJD leader Madan Shah said that he was betrayed by the top brass. He said Lalu Yadav had promised him a ticket from Madhuban constituency, but the same has now been “sold” to a “BJP agent”.
“Lalu Prasad Yadav promised to give me a ticket for the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025… RJD leader Sanjay Yadav had demanded ₹2.7 crore, and when I refused to pay, the party ticket was given to someone else,” he said.
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
October 19, 2025, 22:56 IST
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