The Congress Working Committee (CWC) convened in Patna on Wednesday, marking a significant prelude to the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections scheduled later this year. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge hoisted the national flag at Sadaqat Ashram, the Congress headquarters in Bihar, ahead of the meeting.
Senior leaders attend historic meeting
Key leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Pawan Khera, Bhupesh Baghel, BPCC president Rajesh Ram, Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, and Congress Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan, were present at the meeting. The gathering is being closely watched as it is expected to set the tone for Congress’ strategy in the upcoming polls.
Congress leader Pawan Khera described the event as historic. “This is a historic CWC meeting in a historic state, and historic decisions will be made,” he said. Referring to the venue, Khera added, “Sadaqat Ashram has witnessed the independence movement. The message delivered here will be historic, aiming to safeguard democracy. Every citizen is threatened by thieves.”
Allegations of voter suppression
The meeting comes amid vote theft allegations highlighted by Rahul Gandhi. Congress general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Bihar, claiming that 65 lakh voters have been deleted from the electoral rolls.
Mir told reporters, “There are elections here, but if voters cannot exercise their franchise, where is democracy? Rahul Gandhi has presented comprehensive research on ‘vote chori’ to make every voter aware. Bihar is politically intelligent and considered a model state.”
Significance of the meeting
The timing and location of the CWC meeting are considered crucial, coming just months ahead of the October-November 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Party insiders believe the deliberations will focus on consolidating voter awareness, election strategy, and highlighting democratic issues such as voter suppression.
Khera emphasised the historic nature of the gathering, saying, “This is perhaps the first expanded CWC meeting in Patna post-independence. Right now, Bihar is the focal point of the entire country.”