Sun Aug 03 09:13:23 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article based on that summary:

**Summary:**

A senior leader of the Bihar State Congress Party, Ashok Kumar Ram, has defected to the ruling Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) party. Mr. Ram, a six-time MLA and long-time Dalit leader within the Congress, cited a lack of respect for Dalits within the Congress as his reason for leaving, alleging that the Congress party has remained as only a B-team of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. He praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s work for the Dalit and poor communities. His departure comes just before Rahul Gandhi’s planned visit to the state and ahead of upcoming state elections. JD(U) leaders welcomed him, predicting further defections from the Congress, hoping to bolster their organization and their “Nitish again in 2025” campaign. Congress sources suggest Mr. Ram’s departure was motivated by disagreements and a desire to secure a party ticket for his son.

**News Article:**

**Congress Suffers Blow as Senior Leader Defects to Ruling JD(U) in Bihar Ahead of Elections**

**Patna, August 3, 2025** – In a significant shake-up ahead of the upcoming Bihar State Assembly elections, senior Congress party leader Ashok Kumar Ram has joined the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), delivering a blow to the opposition party.

Mr. Ram, a six-time MLA and a prominent Dalit figure within the Congress, announced his decision at a Milan Samaroh in Patna, citing a perceived lack of respect for Dalits within the Congress party. “Congress party has no respect for Dalits and the party has remained as only a B-team of the Rashtriya Janata Dal,” he stated, adding that he was impressed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s work for the Dalit and poor communities.

His departure comes just days before Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled visit to Bihar for a Padyatra.

JD(U) leaders, including working president Sanjay Jha and state party chief Umesh Kushwaha, welcomed Mr. Ram, predicting further defections from the Congress in the coming weeks. “Ashok Ram’s joining us in JD(U) will not only strengthen party’s organisation but also party’s resolve to 2025, phir se Nitish [2025-once again Nitish],” Kushwaha said.

“In days to come, several Congress leaders will join JD(U) and the Congress party is going to be non-existence in Bihar,” Mr. Jha claimed.

While the JD(U) celebrated the defection as a major victory, sources within the Congress party downplayed the significance of Mr. Ram’s departure, suggesting that disagreements with party leadership and a desire to secure a ticket for his son were key factors in his decision. One senior state Congress leader claimed on condition of anonymity that Mr. Ram’s departure was related to his desire to get a party ticket for his son.

Political analysts suggest that Mr. Ram’s move could have a ripple effect on the political landscape of Bihar as the state gears up for what is expected to be a closely contested election.

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