The Congress party on Sunday held its first extended Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Patna since Independence, focusing on preparations for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. The meeting, attended by senior leaders and state representatives, finalized the party’s campaign strategy and emphasized coordination within the Mahagathbandhan alliance.
Party president Mallikarjun Kharge chaired the session, which saw participation from former president Rahul Gandhi and other top leaders. Addressing members, Kharge called for unity and discipline ahead of the polls, while Gandhi reiterated that the Congress would “safeguard democracy and protect the people’s mandate.”
A key agenda item was the alliance framework within the Mahagathbandhan, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Left parties, and other regional groups. Leaders discussed seat-sharing arrangements and underlined the importance of close coordination with the RJD, led by Tejashwi Yadav, to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The meeting also centered on the Congress’s campaign narrative targeting the BJP. Leaders accused the ruling party of “vote theft” and alleged manipulation of electoral processes. The Congress announced that electoral integrity would form a central plank of its Bihar campaign, alongside promises to address unemployment, price rise, and agrarian distress.
Resolutions passed during the session highlighted economic and social issues faced by the state, with a focus on linking local concerns to broader national challenges. Party leaders emphasized that the Grand Alliance would present “people-centric solutions” to voters across Bihar.
The BJP dismissed the Congress’s allegations as unfounded. Party spokespersons stated that the opposition lacked a clear agenda and reiterated that the BJP-led government’s focus on infrastructure, women’s empowerment, and welfare schemes would be the main factors driving its campaign.
The Patna meeting was the first time the Congress Working Committee convened in Bihar since 1947, marking a symbolic shift in the party’s approach to regional politics. The leadership expressed confidence that the decisions taken would strengthen the Grand Alliance’s position in the assembly elections scheduled for later this year.
