In a clear sign of escalating political heat ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress party has declared an all-out offensive immediately following the Chhath Puja festivities, positioning itself as the vanguard for the opposition INDIA bloc. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will spearhead this aggressive push with high-profile rallies and public interactions scheduled for October 29 and 30, aiming to galvanize voters disillusioned with the ruling NDA alliance.

The announcement, made on Sunday by AICC general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal during a press briefing, underscores the party's intent to build on the groundwork laid by the recent Voter Adhikar Yatra in August. "We're not just campaigning; we're consolidating the anti-NDA wave that has been building across Bihar," Venugopal asserted, emphasizing that the yatra's success in highlighting issues like unemployment, inflation, and electoral rights would now translate into direct voter outreach.

Joining Rahul in this electoral onslaught will be heavyweight leaders including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the MP from Wayanad, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Their tours will target pivotal constituencies, focusing on grassroots connections, women's empowerment narratives, and critiques of the BJP-led government's policies on agriculture and youth employment. Sources within the party reveal that Priyanka's charismatic appeal is expected to draw massive crowds in rural heartlands, while Kharge's seasoned oratory will address urban and minority voters.

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Venugopal, a trusted confidant of the Gandhi family and currently stationed in Bihar to orchestrate operations, is also tackling internal turbulence. Whispers of discontent have surfaced, with disgruntled workers accusing the leadership of commodifying party tickets—a charge that gained traction after former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot indirectly acknowledged the problem. Gehlot, in a bid to maintain unity, counseled patience: "Ticket aspirations run high in every poll cycle, leading to inevitable heartburn. Let's channel that energy into victory first."

This internal crisis, if unmanaged, could undermine the Congress's revival bid in Bihar, where it seeks to reclaim lost ground after years of electoral setbacks. The party's strategy hinges on portraying the INDIA bloc as a unified alternative to the NDA's dominance, leveraging Rahul's "Bharat Jodo" momentum to expose alleged governance failures.

As Chhath Puja concludes—a festival deeply embedded in Bihari culture, symbolizing devotion and community—the Congress's timing is strategic, tapping into post-festive euphoria to amplify its message. With assembly polls looming, this post-Chhath blitz could redefine alliances, sway swing voters, and potentially alter Bihar's political landscape in favor of the opposition. Party insiders predict record turnouts at Rahul's events, signaling a fierce battle ahead.

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