The Congress Working Committee (CWC) has begun its meeting in Patna under the chairmanship of Rahul Gandhi. This session is being seen as a landmark moment in the party’s history, as it is the first time since independence that the Congress Working Committee is holding a meeting in Bihar.
The event is being hosted at Sadaqat Ashram, a historic center for the party’s activities in Bihar. The meeting is taking place in an election year, making it all the more significant for Congress’s future strategy.
Key Leaders Present at the Meeting
The CWC meeting in Patna has brought together several senior leaders of the party. Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Rahul Gandhi, is leading the discussions. However, former party president Sonia Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra did not attend the session.
The gathering also includes Congress chief ministers, former chief ministers, state presidents, and many former union ministers from states where Congress is currently in power. The presence of such a wide range of leaders highlights the importance of this meeting for both the party and the state of Bihar.
Major Decisions Expected
The Congress Working Committee meeting is being considered extremely important in the context of elections. Party insiders believe several key decisions linked to Bihar will be taken. Issues such as education, unemployment, migration, and schemes for women are likely to dominate the discussions.
At the end of the meeting, the party is expected to release a special declaration for Bihar. This declaration will outline the party’s priorities and provide a roadmap for addressing major concerns of the people. Senior leaders of Mahagathbandhan partners, including Tejashwi Yadav and Mukesh Sahni, are also attending, signaling joint discussions on alliance strategy.
Statements from Congress Leaders
The meeting in Patna has also become a platform for several senior leaders to share their views. Upon arrival, Congress leader Salman Khurshid told the media that the party will only decide on the chief ministerial face after the elections. He stressed that such decisions will be revealed after victory.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also addressed the press, stating that the meeting is crucial to save democracy. He explained that the CWC will hold detailed discussions on several important issues, and resolutions will be passed at the end.
Khera added that Congress is working hard to regain its political base in Bihar. Commenting on political dynamics, he remarked that those at the top eventually come down, while those at the bottom rise. On the question of announcing Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial candidate, Khera used a metaphor, saying the sun does not need to be told from which side it rises every day.
Congress’s Message Through the Meeting
The Congress Working Committee aims to send a strong message to Bihar’s voters through this meeting. By holding the CWC in Patna, the party is projecting itself as central to the state’s political landscape in the run-up to elections.
Party strategists believe the meeting will energize Congress workers and boost enthusiasm across the organization. The choice of Bihar as the venue also emphasizes the party’s commitment to addressing regional issues such as migration, jobs, and education.
Spotlight on Telangana Chief Minister
Interestingly, the meeting also shifts attention to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. In December 2023, Reddy had attacked then CM K Chandrashekar Rao by claiming that his DNA was linked to Bihar. He said that KCR’s caste, Kurmi, had its roots in Bihar. This remark created controversy at the time, as many in Bihar considered it offensive and derogatory.
The presence of Revanth Reddy at the CWC in Patna now carries added importance, given the political storm his earlier comments had caused. Party insiders believe this meeting is an opportunity to mend ties and rebuild the party’s image in Bihar.
Significance of Holding CWC in Bihar
The decision to host the CWC meeting in Bihar is not only symbolic but also strategic. Bihar has historically played an important role in India’s politics, but Congress’s base in the state has eroded significantly over the years.
By organizing its top decision-making body in Patna, the party wants to demonstrate seriousness about reviving its fortunes in the state. The move is also being seen as a signal to alliance partners that Congress wants a more central role in shaping Bihar’s political future.
Challenges Before Congress in Bihar
While the meeting reflects confidence, Congress faces several challenges in Bihar. The party’s organizational strength has weakened over time, and much of the political space is occupied by regional players like RJD and JD(U). The rise of BJP in the state has further complicated matters for Congress.
Unemployment, lack of quality education, and migration remain burning issues for Bihar’s youth. For Congress to gain ground, it must present concrete solutions rather than symbolic gestures. The CWC declaration after this meeting is expected to highlight such solutions.
Role of Mahagathbandhan Partners
The presence of Tejashwi Yadav and Mukesh Sahni underlines the importance of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar politics. Congress remains an ally but has to strike a balance between asserting itself and cooperating with larger partners like RJD.
Alliance politics in Bihar has always been complex. With Lok Sabha elections on the horizon, clarity on seat-sharing, leadership, and campaign strategy is expected to emerge from discussions held alongside the CWC meeting.
Congress’s National Strategy Linked to Bihar
This meeting in Bihar also holds significance beyond state politics. As Congress prepares for national elections, the party wants to rebuild its image as a pan-India alternative. Reviving its presence in states like Bihar is essential to this plan.
By addressing grassroots concerns in Bihar and strengthening its base, Congress aims to show that it is not only focusing on national-level politics but also deeply engaged with regional issues. The decisions taken here could set the tone for Congress’s broader electoral strategy.
Rahul Gandhi’s Leadership Role
Rahul Gandhi chairing the meeting is significant for the party’s internal dynamics. It reflects his growing role in decision-making within the organization. His speeches and guidance during the meeting are expected to motivate Congress workers and leaders.
Rahul’s leadership is being projected as central to Congress’s revival efforts. Holding the meeting in Bihar under his chairmanship highlights the attempt to blend generational leadership with traditional organizational strength.
The Congress Working Committee meeting in Patna under Rahul Gandhi’s chairmanship marks a historic and strategic moment for the party. It is the first time since independence that the CWC is being held in Bihar, and it comes at a critical time before elections.
From education and unemployment to women’s welfare and migration, several key issues are on the agenda. With senior leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Salman Khurshid, and Pawan Khera present, alongside Mahagathbandhan partners, the meeting is being seen as a turning point.
The final resolutions and declaration expected after the session will reveal Congress’s immediate priorities in Bihar. More importantly, the meeting is designed to send a message across the nation that Congress is determined to rebuild its base, energize its workers, and position itself as a strong contender in the political arena.
