PATNA, Nov. 13 -- Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Shakeel Ahmad resigned from the party's primary membership on Tuesday, hours after polling concluded in the state Assembly elections. Ahmad, a prominent Muslim face of the Congress in Bihar and hailing from the Madhubani region, cited deep dissatisfaction with the ticket distribution process and a lack of respect for veteran leaders as key reasons for his exit. This marks the latest episode in the ongoing tussle between old guards and newer faces within the party, exacerbating internal fissures post the Rahul Gandhi era. Ahmad, who served as Union minister of state for home in the UPA government, submitted his resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, describing the decision as one taken with a "heavy heart." In the letter dated November 10, he noted that his departure was not from the party's ideology but stemmed from personal differences with certain individuals in the leadership. "This separation does not mean I am joining any other party or group. I have no intention of doing so," he wrote, underscoring his family's century-long association with the Congress. His grandfather, Ahmed Ghafoor, was elected as a Congress MLA in 1937, while his father, Shakur Ahmed, served five terms between 1952 and 1977. Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Ahmad said he had decided to quit 15 days earlier but delayed it to avoid impacting the party's electoral prospects. "I did not want any wrong message to go out before polling or cause the party to lose even five votes because of me," he said. He had previously informed the party via a letter on April 16, 2023, that he would not contest future elections, noting his sons' disinterest in politics as they reside in Canada. Despite his ill health preventing active campaigning, Ahmad expressed hope for the Congress' success, predicting an increase in seats for the party and a strong government formation by its alliance. However, Ahmad's candid remarks post-resignation highlighted deeper grievances. "I was unhappy with the ticket distribution. There is no respect left for senior leaders in the Congress now," he is said to have told a news agency. He accused the current leadership of favouring those promoted during Rahul Gandhi's tenure, claiming they lacked experience and were driven by arrogance. "The party ignores the opinions of seniors. People stay in the party for respect and recognition, but when that's gone, there's no reason to remain," he added. Ahmad also commented on the exit polls for the Bihar elections, urging caution: "Exit polls and opinion polls are not always accurate. In 2015, all polls failed, so their results can't be seen as final." This is not Ahmad's first brush with party discord. Earlier, the Congress had expelled him for contesting the elections independently against an alliance candidate, a move that underscored simmering tensions over candidate selection and internal democracy. The resignation drew sharp reactions from across the political spectrum. Bihar deputy chief minister and BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha took a swipe at the Congress, saying, "The people also want a Congress-mukt Bharat. Parties whose leadership can't move beyond the concept of family are a threat to democracy, and their future is bleak. The public doesn't trust such mindsets." Sinha's comments reflect the BJP's narrative of portraying the Congress as dynastic and out of touch. Within the Congress, a senior leader from the Madhubani region, Kishore Kumar Jha described Ahmad's exit as "shocking and unfortunate." He lamented the loss of such a seasoned politician but defended the party, noting, "The Congress has given him ample opportunities to serve the people as MLA, MP, and minister both at the Centre and in the state." The leader suggested that Ahmad's differences with other figures should have been resolved by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) leadership, emphasising the need for better internal dialogue to prevent such departures. Ahmad's move has reignited debates on the Congress' direction in Bihar, where ticket allocation has long been a flashpoint. Critics argue that the party's failure to address senior leaders' concerns signals a broader crisis in organisational trust and democratic functioning. As results loom on November 14, this resignation could further demoralise the party's rank and file, especially amid exit polls predicting a tough fight for the opposition alliance. Despite the bitterness, Ahmad reiterated his faith in Congress principles: "I will remain a well-wisher of the party's policies and cast my last vote for it." Political analysts see this as a sign of lingering emotional ties, even as the party grapples with its "new vs. old" divide....