Rahul Gandhi Arrives in Patna to Attend Crucial Congress Working Committee Meeting

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived in Bihar's capital on Wednesday morning to attend a key meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision-making body. Landing at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, Gandhi was warmly received by Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president Rajesh Kumar and other senior leaders.

The delegation escorted him to Sadaqat Ashram, the state unit's headquarters, where the extended CWC session is underway. This gathering, including permanent invitees, chief ministers, state unit heads, and legislature party leaders, underscores the party's strategic outreach in Bihar ahead of the state assembly elections slated for late 2025.

The CWC meeting holds immense political weight as the Indian National Congress seeks to consolidate its position within the opposition INDIA bloc and counter the ruling BJP-led NDA's dominance in Bihar. Hosting the event in Patna, rather than the customary Delhi, signals a deliberate effort to energize the grassroots base and address local concerns like unemployment, agrarian distress, and infrastructure deficits.

Gandhi's presence is expected to infuse momentum, drawing on his recent nationwide Bharat Jodo Yatra, which bolstered the party's narrative on social justice and economic inequality. The session also coincides with broader deliberations on electoral reforms, amid accusations of irregularities in recent polls.

On Tuesday, Kumar briefed reporters at the airport about the agenda, highlighting discussions on state, national, and international issues. Key topics include allegations of "vote chori" (vote theft), which Congress has repeatedly flagged as undermining democratic processes in states like Bihar and Maharashtra.

Additionally, the panel will address the economic repercussions of tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration during its 2017-2021 tenure, particularly on Indian steel, aluminum, and agricultural exports, which strained bilateral trade relations and cost India billions. These global angles aim to frame the NDA government's foreign policy as detrimental to domestic interests, potentially galvanizing voter sentiment.

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As the day progresses, the CWC is anticipated to pass resolutions outlining the party's Bihar poll strategy, including seat-sharing with allies like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Political observers note that the meeting could serve as a litmus test for Congress's revival in the state, where it holds just 19 of 243 assembly seats following the 2020 elections.

With the INDIA bloc aiming to unseat Nitish Kumar's coalition, Gandhi's interventions may focus on unity and a unified manifesto emphasizing youth employment and women's safety. The outcomes from Sadaqat Ashram could ripple through the campaign trail, setting the tone for a fiercely contested electoral battle in one of India's most volatile political arenas.

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