Patna: Senior Congress leaders gathered at Sadanand Singh's residence here on Saturday to discuss the way forward in light of next year's general elections and their relationship with the embattled RJD, whose boss Lalu Prasad has been convicted in another fodder scam case.

In the chilly weather of Patna, the Congress' legislature party leader in the Assembly Sadanand generated heat saying that the leaders "discussed how to strengthen Congress at the state-level on its own".

Political experts read in to the comment as an attempt to break free from the shadow of RJD, with which the Congress is in alliance since 2015.

All India Congress Committee general secretary Shakeel Ahmad, former Kerala governor Nikhil Kumar, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee president in-charge Kaukab Quadri, former minister Madan Mohan Jha and several MLAs were at the meeting. But former BPCC chief Ashok Choudhary was conspicuous by his absence - sources said he was in Odisha on personal work.

"Our discussions were two-pronged. We spoke on the pan-Bihar Amantran Yatra we are planning to begin on January 19 to connect to our party supporters and families of freedom fighters. Second, we discussed the changed political scenario in which the JDU and BJP are misruling the state," Kaukab told The Telegraph. The Amantran Yatra will start from Vrindavan Ashram in Bettiah, West Champaran, and cover Bihar in eight phases.

The Congress leaders also pointed out the need to counter the JDU-BJP rule in which law and order situation has deteriorated and unemployment is increasing; and the future course in their alliance with the RJD.

"The RJD is our natural alliance partner and any future strengthening and moves will be decided by our high command. But we have decided to strengthen our party in the state," Kaukab said.