The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Wednesday commenced its meeting at Sadaqat Ashram, Patna, ahead of the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections later this year.
Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge hoisted the national flag at the party’s Bihar headquarters, marking the start of the crucial gathering. Senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Pawan Khera, Bhupesh Baghel, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee president Rajesh Ram, party in-charge Krishna Allavaru, and Congress Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan attended the meeting.
Earlier, Pawan Khera described the gathering as historic, stating that important decisions would be made to “safeguard democracy.” He highlighted the significance of Sadaqat Ashram, a site linked to India’s independence movement, and emphasised the message the Congress aims to deliver from there.
The meeting also comes amid allegations of “vote theft” in Bihar, raised by Rahul Gandhi. Congress general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir highlighted concerns over the deletion of 65 lakh voters from the voter list, stressing the importance of ensuring every citizen’s right to vote.
Khera added, “This is a historic day. Perhaps this is the first expanded CWC in Patna post-independence. Bihar is the focal point of the entire country right now.”
The timing and venue of the CWC meeting are considered critical, as the Bihar Assembly elections are expected in October-November 2025.