First CWC meet in Patna since 1940: Congress frames it as ‘second Independence war’; here’s why it matters

The first in Patna since 1940, the CWC meeting is being seen as a strategic move

Congress is all set to hold a meeting of its working committee in poll-bound Bihar on Wednesday with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, and other leaders in attendance.

Notably, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is being held in Patna for the first time in the post-Independence era. The last CWC meeting was hosted in Patna in 1940.

The extended CWC meeting is expected to see participation from permanent and special invitees, Congress chief ministers, Pradesh Congress Committee presidents, and Congress Legislature Party leaders.

Eye on upcoming Assembly polls

This is the first time in the post-independence era that the party is holding a meeting of its top-decision making body in Bihar, according to party leaders.

According to sources cited by news agency PTI, the focus of the meet is likely to be on Bihar, the party’s campaign strategy, future elections as well as elevating its attack on the BJP over alleged “vote chori”.

They said a strong message will be sent out by the CWC on the "vote chori" issue and against the Election Commission's special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

The meeting comes amid seat-sharing talks between Mahagathbandhan allies and days after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “Voter Adhikar Yatra” against alleged vote chori and the SIR of electoral rolls.

What the CWC meet could mean?

The first in Patna since 1940, the CWC meeting is being seen as a strategic move -- as it signals Congress’ bid to strengthen its clout within the INDIA bloc while challenging BJP’s dominance.

With the CWC meet, the party could be looking at energising local cadre, finalising election strategies as well as push for a favourable seat-sharing deal, beyond the 70 seats it contested on in 2020 with allies like RJD.

Even as it won 19 of the 70 seats it contested on in the 2020 Assembly polls, the Congress is once again pressing for the same number, particularly in the wake of Rahul Gandhi’s recent yatra, according to a report by The Indian Express.

This time, however, three more parties have joined the opposition alliance including Vikasheel Insaan Party of Mukesh Sahani, JMM and the breakaway faction of LJP - headed by Chirag's uncle, bringing about the need to accomadate them.

Mahagathbandhan's CM face in focus

The meet also comes amid strains in RJD-Congress equations, with RJD unhappy over Congress’ reluctance to back Tejashwi Yadav as chief ministerial candidate.

This, despite RJD’s push to ensure the success of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikaar Yatra’. Tejashwi, in fact, took out his own ‘Bihar Adhikar Yatra’ last week, during which he hinted at fighting all 243 seats in the state.

The CWC in Patna also needs to be seen in the context of a sustained push by the Congress to emerge form the RJD’s shadows and establish its own presence in the state where it is largely seen playing second fiddle. The key meeting, thus, also carries immense symbolism to send out a message to opponents and allies alike that it means business in Bihar.

The Congress has also been demanding a higher share of seats along with a greater factor of winnability attached to the seats that it is allocated as part of the seat-sharing arrangement. The idea, clearly, is to position itself at the same pedestal as the RJD in the state while also re-energising its rank and file.

‘Second war of independence’

AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru asserted that Congress was fighting "the second war of Independence" in Bihar, a reason why the meeting has been scheduled in the state.

Asserting that Bihar had become "the centre of national politics", Allavaru said, "We are fighting the second war of Independence in the state, a reason why the CWC meeting is being held here."
In reply to another query, he said talks on seat-sharing are being held on a positive note in the INDIA bloc.

On whether RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will be named as the chief ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc with a stamp of approval from the Congress, Allavaru had said, "At an appropriate time, all alliance partners will sit together and decide".

Bihar polls are likely to take place around November this year.