Dr. Ashok Ram’s Exit: A Blow to Congress’s Dalit Strategy in Bihar

The Congress party in Bihar is grappling with the defection of Dr. Ashok Kumar Ram, a veteran Dalit leader, to the Janata Dal United, which is a major blow to the party’s strategy to win Dalit votes. Ram, previously a senior figure within the Congress, expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment of Dalits within the party. His exit comes at a critical time as Rahul Gandhi has been making concerted efforts to engage with Dalit voters. Ram’s family has a significant political history, with his father having been a prominent Congress leader. The Congress party is trying to make inroads into the Dalit community, who were once considered traditional voters. The party is now aiming to address their grievances and bring them back into the fold.