Patna, Bihar: The Congress party convened an extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting at Sadaqat Ashram in Patna, Bihar, today, addressing electoral malpractices, organizational restructuring, and the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by Rahul Gandhi, CWC members, PCC Presidents, CLP Leaders, and others, the meeting passed two resolutions: one on the national political scenario and another appealing to Bihar’s voters.
Electoral Fraud and “Vote Chori” Campaign
The Congress intensified its campaign against alleged electoral fraud, termed “vote chori” (vote theft). Rahul Gandhi, leading the “Vote Adhikar Yatra” in Bihar, accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of ignoring critical questions about electoral integrity. Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary (Communications), announced a nationwide signature campaign from September 15 to October 15 to collect five crore signatures, to be submitted to the ECI by October’s end, demanding accountability. Rahul Gandhi hinted at further exposés, referencing recent revelations in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura and Aland constituencies as a starting point. The party alleges the BJP has illegitimately gained power through such malpractices, undermining democracy.
Sangathan Srijan Programme
The CWC reviewed the “Sangathan Srijan Programme,” aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots structure. K.C. Venugopal, General Secretary (Organization), reported progress in 10 states, including Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, covering 274 organizational districts and appointing 144 District Congress Committee (DCC) Presidents. The selection process involves senior leaders consulting grassroots workers over 7-8 days per district. The CWC declared 2025 as the year of organizational strengthening, planning to appoint Block, Mandal, and Booth Presidents, and Booth Level Agents, to empower local leadership.
Appeal to Bihar’s Voters
Kanhaiya Kumar, CWC member, presented an appeal to Bihar’s 14 crore residents, highlighting Congress’s historical role in the state’s industrialization, including establishing Asia’s largest railway yard, fertilizer factories, refineries, and universities. He accused the BJP-led government of “vote chori,” leading to issues like paper leaks, unemployment, and land grabbing, citing an instance in Bhagalpur where land was allegedly given to a Prime Minister’s associate at ₹1 per acre. Kumar criticized the government for failing to curb crime and protecting criminals, calling it a “kushasan” (misgovernance) regime. The Congress vowed to fight for social justice, including constitutional protection for Bihar’s 65% reservation policy, struck down by courts.
Critique of Modi Government
The CWC resolution criticized the Modi government’s diplomatic failures with countries like the US, China, and Nepal, and its economic policies, particularly the Goods and Services Tax (GST), dubbed a “Gabbar Singh Tax.” The party called for GST 2.0, arguing recent rate cuts are inadequate. On social justice, the Congress welcomed Telangana’s 42% reservation for OBCs and EBCs in local body elections and credited its pressure for the government’s decision to conduct a caste census by February 2027, though it criticized delays and the lack of constitutional backing for Bihar’s reservation.
Meeting Context and Responses
Held at Sadaqat Ashram, linked to freedom fighter Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the 4.5-hour meeting saw 51 participants. Venugopal emphasized Bihar’s historical role in the freedom struggle and its current democratic significance. Responding to queries, he clarified that CWC meetings, also held in Belagavi and Ahmedabad, are not solely election-driven. Jairam Ramesh countered BJP’s criticisms, pointing to unrest in Manipur and Leh, where BJP offices were attacked. The Congress expressed confidence in the Mahagathbandhan forming Bihar’s government within two months, citing its Telangana success post a 2023 CWC meeting.
The Congress reiterated its commitment to defending democracy, ensuring social justice, and strengthening its organization ahead of the Bihar elections.
