Akhilesh Prasad Singh urges anti-BJP unity, slams Bihar governance
Synopsis
Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh used a Patna press conference to deliver a two-front message: Opposition parties — including TMC — must unite or face marginalisation, and Bihar's new Cabinet must urgently fix a law-and-order and infrastructure accountability crisis underscored by repeated bridge collapses.
Key Takeaways
Akhilesh Prasad Singh called on all "anti-BJP parties" to unite on a common platform ahead of future elections.
He acknowledged BJP's victory in West Bengal but noted Congress secured two seats — up from zero — in the state.
Singh warned that TMC and other regional parties cannot defeat BJP without collective Opposition action.
He raised concerns over the Bihar Cabinet expansion on 7 May , citing deteriorating law-and-order in the state.
Singh demanded a high-level probe into alleged corruption in Bihar infrastructure contracts, citing the Vikramshila Setu collapse.
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh on Tuesday called on all Opposition parties to forge a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), warning that regional outfits risk political marginalisation if they continue to go it alone. Speaking to reporters in Patna, Singh also trained his guns on the Bihar government, demanding accountability over repeated bridge collapses and alleged corruption in infrastructure contracts.
On BJP's West Bengal Win
Singh acknowledged the BJP's emphatic victory in West Bengal, stating that in a democracy, the people's mandate is final and must be respected. He added that there is little merit in lamenting results after a government has already been formed. Notably, he expressed measured satisfaction over the Indian National Congress (INC)'s performance, pointing out that the party — which previously had no representation in West Bengal — has now secured two seats in the state assembly.
Call for Opposition Unity
Singh stressed that the current political climate demands stronger Opposition cohesion, urging all "anti-BJP parties" to converge on a common platform. In a pointed remark directed at regional parties, he cautioned that no single party — including the Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) — can defeat the BJP alone. He warned that regional forces risk political irrelevance if they fail to recognise the necessity of collective action against a dominant national force. This comes amid growing debate within the broader Opposition bloc about the viability of a unified electoral strategy ahead of future state and national elections.
Responding to criticism over Congress' own electoral struggles, Singh cited Kerala, where he claimed the party has demonstrated its organisational strength by significantly weakening the Left-led Opposition.
Bihar Cabinet Expansion and Law-and-Order Concerns
Turning to state politics, Singh took a swipe at the upcoming Bihar Cabinet expansion scheduled for 7 May. He expressed hope that incoming ministers would be competent and responsive to public expectations, but voiced serious concern over what he described as a deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state. He said restoring public confidence and ensuring transparent governance should be the top priorities of the new Cabinet.
Bridge Collapses and Infrastructure Corruption
Singh raised the issue of repeated bridge collapses in Bihar, questioning the state government's functioning and oversight mechanisms. Referring specifically to the Vikramshila Setu incident, he remarked that such structural failures are no longer surprising in the state. He alleged that contracts are repeatedly being awarded to the same contractor despite previous projects being marred by alleged corruption and structural deficiencies. Singh demanded a high-level probe into corruption in infrastructure projects, urging the Bihar government to fix accountability, take strict action against erring contractors and officials, and ensure quality in public works. He warned that without these corrective steps, claims of development in Bihar would remain confined to paper.
Point of View
Which has since frayed at the edges. The more pointed message is directed at Mamata Banerjee: TMC's go-alone strategy in West Bengal may have worked against Congress, but it offers no blueprint for countering BJP at the national level. Meanwhile, his Bihar remarks carry electoral undertones — with the state heading toward a politically significant Cabinet reshuffle, Congress is positioning itself as the accountability voice rather than a governing alternative, a role that plays better in press conferences than at the ballot box.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Akhilesh Prasad Singh say about BJP's West Bengal victory?
Singh said the people's mandate must be respected and there is little merit in lamenting results after a government has been formed. He acknowledged the BJP's emphatic win but highlighted that Congress, which previously had no seats in West Bengal, now holds two assembly seats.
Why is Singh urging Opposition unity now?
Singh argued that no single party, including TMC, can defeat the BJP alone and that regional parties risk political marginalisation without collective action. He called on all anti-BJP parties to come together on a common platform ahead of future elections.
What are Singh's concerns about Bihar's new Cabinet?
Singh expressed hope that incoming ministers would be competent but voiced serious concern over deteriorating law-and-order in Bihar. He said restoring public confidence and transparent governance must be the new Cabinet's top priorities following its expansion on 7 May.
What did Singh allege about Bihar's bridge collapses?
Singh alleged that infrastructure contracts are repeatedly awarded to the same contractor despite previous projects being marred by alleged corruption and structural failures. He cited the Vikramshila Setu incident and demanded a high-level probe into corruption in Bihar's public works.
What did Singh say about Congress's performance in Kerala?
Responding to criticism over Congress's electoral struggles, Singh cited Kerala as evidence of the party's organisational strength, claiming Congress has significantly weakened the Opposition there.
