Vote theft, rising crime, unemployment: CWC meets in Bihar

The Congress party will hold its Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Patna on September 24, ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections expected later this year. The meeting will take place at Sadaqat Ashram, the party’s state headquarters.

Key leaders likely to attend include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, state president Rajesh Ram, Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, and state Legislative Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan.

Speaking at a press conference, Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru said the CWC would discuss multiple pressing issues affecting Bihar, including alleged ‘vote chori’ (vote theft), rising crime, unemployment, and inflation. He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he is “not interested” in addressing people’s problems even after 11 years in power. “Modi ji is like a student who wants to cheat rather than work hard to earn marks,” Allavaru added.

While the Congress party has flagged these issues, it has not yet specified concrete actions to tackle them. The emphasis ahead of the elections appears to be on strategic planning, raising voter awareness, and coordinating with alliance partners. Any tangible measures,such as legal steps, election monitoring, or targeted initiatives,are expected to be clarified after the CWC meeting, once the party finalizes its approach for Bihar polls.

This CWC session is being held specifically in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections, rather than as a routine or annual session, highlighting its election-focused nature.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh expressed confidence that seat-sharing arrangements for the elections would be finalised soon after the CWC meeting. He emphasised unity among alliance partners and endorsed RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as the key face for the Chief Minister’s post, saying, “The priority is to defeat the BJP and Nitish Kumar’s alliance.” RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also indicated that seat-sharing talks within the Mahagathbandhan are close to finalisation, with announcements expected shortly.

The Bihar Assembly elections are likely to be held in October or November, though the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced an official date. In the current Assembly of 243 members, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA),comprising BJP, JD(U), and LJP,holds 131 seats, while the INDIA bloc, including RJD, Congress, and left parties, aims to unseat Nitish Kumar’s government.