CWC Meeting in Patna to Discuss Vote Chori and Trump’s Tariffs
Bihar Congress chief says state, national and global issues to dominate extended party meeting.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday in Patna is set to address a range of pressing state, national, and international issues, including allegations of "vote chori" (vote theft) and the impact of tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration on India.
Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president Rajesh Kumar announced these details while speaking to journalists at the airport on Tuesday, ahead of the arrival of senior party leaders such as All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretaries Deepa Das Munshi and Sayeed Nasir Hussain, and former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar.
The CWC, the highest decision-making body of the Indian National Congress, plays a crucial role in shaping the party's political strategy and passing key resolutions. This extended meeting, which will include state unit chiefs and other senior leaders, marks a significant outreach effort in Bihar, a politically vital state ahead of the upcoming assembly elections expected in late 2025. By hosting the event outside Delhi, Congress aims to strengthen its organizational presence in the region and rally support for the opposition INDIA bloc.
Addressing criticism from the BJP-led NDA, which has labeled the venue shift as a mere election tactic, Kumar defended the decision by referencing historical precedents. "CWC meetings have been held across India since Independence, including in Gujarat recently," he said. He emphasized that the deliberations would cover critical topics like electoral malpractices and economic challenges posed by U.S. trade policies under Trump, whose 2017-2021 administration introduced tariffs on Indian steel and aluminum, straining bilateral ties and affecting exports worth billions.
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The announcement has sparked sharp reactions from political rivals. Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain mocked the move, stating, "Congress scored zero in Delhi elections; it will meet the same fate in Bihar polls." Union Minister Chirag Paswan echoed similar sentiments, accusing the party of "pressure tactics." In contrast, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Lok Sabha MP Sudhakar Singh welcomed the development, noting, "This meeting will send a positive message benefiting the entire INDIA bloc, fostering unity against the NDA."
As preparations intensify, the Patna meeting underscores Congress's intent to reclaim ground in Bihar, where it has struggled electorally in recent years. With over 243 assembly seats at stake, the event could serve as a platform to unveil strategies addressing local concerns like unemployment and agrarian distress, alongside broader national agendas. Observers view it as a calculated step to invigorate the party's base and counter the NDA's dominance in the state.
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