By ANDALIB AKHTER
After completing his 16-day “Vote Theft Yatra” across Bihar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will chair a crucial meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) in Patna on September 24, with a clear focus on alleged manipulation of voter lists ahead of the state’s upcoming Assembly elections.
The meeting is being seen as a high-stakes political move aimed at not only highlighting electoral malpractice but also at reasserting Congress’s relevance in Bihar’s complex political landscape.
The Patna CWC meeting is expected to pass a strong resolution condemning voter list irregularities and demanding strict safeguards to ensure free and fair polls. Senior leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are likely to announce targeted campaigns focusing on women’s empowerment, rising unemployment, and the erosion of democratic rights under the NDA rule.
Congress sources also indicated that Rahul Gandhi might use the meeting to push for direct engagement with grassroots workers, emphasizing door-to-door campaigns and localized agitations, rather than overreliance on alliance arithmetic.
Congress Stakes High in Bihar
Bihar remains a tough battleground for the Congress, which has struggled to expand its independent base in the state over the past two decades. The party currently plays a secondary role in the INDIA alliance, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) as its stronger partner. However, by putting the spotlight on “vote theft,” Congress hopes to carve out a distinct narrative that resonates with women, youth, and marginalized communities—segments it sees as critical to reviving its fortunes.
Party strategists believe that taking the fight directly to the ruling NDA government in Bihar will help energize cadres and reclaim political ground ceded to both regional players and the BJP. The Congress is also eyeing an increased seat share in the upcoming Assembly elections, signaling that it no longer wishes to remain a junior partner within the alliance.
Taking on Nitish Kumar Government
The party has sharpened its attack on the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government, accusing it of ignoring youth concerns, mishandling job protests, and promoting favoritism in land allotments.
“The youth are demanding jobs and education but are being met with baton charges,” said a senior Congress leader, adding that the government’s insensitivity could become a rallying point for opposition unity.
Larger Goal
For the Congress, Bihar represents more than just another state election. By taking a confrontational stand on electoral integrity, the party hopes to position itself as the moral anchor of the INDIA alliance—a role that could strengthen its bargaining power not only in Bihar seat-sharing talks but also on the national stage ahead of the 2029 general elections.
Political observers say the Patna meeting will serve as a litmus test for Congress’s ability to transform rhetoric into a meaningful mass movement in Bihar, where caste equations, regional aspirations, and alliance dynamics often dictate electoral outcomes.