KKN Gurugram Desk | Congress leader and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Bihar on February 5, 2025, marking his second visit to the state after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The announcement was made by Bihar Congress President Akhilesh Prasad Singh, who confirmed that preparations for the visit are in full swing. Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming tour is expected to be a politically significant event for the Congress party as it gears up for the Bihar Assembly Elections.

Congress Gears Up for Rahul Gandhi’s Grand Welcome in Patna

The Bihar Congress unit has begun elaborate preparations to welcome Rahul Gandhi to Patna. Party workers are decorating the city with posters and banners featuring Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The entire city is expected to witness an enthusiastic display of Congress’s political strength, as supporters prepare for a grand reception for their leader.

Rahul Gandhi’s visit is scheduled around the birth anniversary celebrations of Jaglal Choudhary, a prominent freedom fighter and social reformer from Bihar. This event, which will take place at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna, is expected to witness a massive turnout of Congress leaders, party workers, and supporters.

Political Significance of Rahul Gandhi’s Bihar Visit

Rahul Gandhi’s visit holds major political implications as Bihar gears up for its upcoming Assembly Elections. During his visit, Gandhi is likely to meet senior Congress leaders, strategize for the elections, and discuss the party’s roadmap for strengthening its position in Bihar.

Congress, which is a key part of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar alongside Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other parties, is looking to consolidate its voter base and prepare for the upcoming state elections. Rahul Gandhi’s visit is expected to boost the morale of Congress workers and mobilize grassroots support.

Rahul Gandhi’s Likely Meetings with RJD Leaders

During his Bihar tour, Rahul Gandhi is also expected to meet RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. The Congress and RJD share a long-standing political alliance, and discussions between the two leaders are likely to focus on seat-sharing strategies, campaign plans, and tackling the BJP in the state elections.

Bihar has been a crucial political battleground for both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) (JDU), and the opposition alliance. Rahul Gandhi’s visit aims to strengthen the opposition front and ensure a unified campaign strategy against the BJP-led government.

Key Agendas for Rahul Gandhi’s Bihar Visit

Rahul Gandhi’s Bihar tour is expected to focus on the following key political agendas:

1. Assembly Election Strategy:
   • Discussing Congress’s election roadmap with state leaders.
   • Reviewing party performance and leadership coordination.
   • Strengthening the Congress-RJD alliance for a unified opposition front.
2. Public Outreach and Mobilization:
   • Addressing Congress supporters at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna.
   • Encouraging grassroots workers to mobilize support for the party.
   • Engaging with youth, farmers, and marginalized communities.
3. Alliance Coordination with RJD:
   • Meeting with Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav.
   • Finalizing seat-sharing arrangements between Congress and RJD.
   • Strengthening joint campaign efforts against the BJP-JDU government.
4. Boosting Congress’s Presence in Bihar:
   • Focusing on party expansion and leadership development.
   • Connecting with local Congress MLAs and district leaders.
   • Addressing issues concerning Bihar’s economic and social challenges.

Why Rahul Gandhi’s Visit is Crucial for Congress in Bihar?

The Congress party has been struggling to regain its political foothold in Bihar. With the Bihar Assembly Elections fast approaching, the party is aiming to rebuild its support base and improve its electoral prospects. Rahul Gandhi’s visit is expected to:

• Re-energize party workers and inspire them for the election battle.
• Strengthen coordination with the RJD, ensuring a seamless electoral alliance.
• Counter BJP’s growing influence in Bihar with a strong opposition strategy.
• Engage with youth, farmers, and key voter groups to expand Congress’s voter outreach.

Congress’s Current Standing in Bihar Politics

Congress has been a part of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar, but its electoral performance in recent elections has been underwhelming. The party is now aiming to regain lost ground by increasing its presence in the state assembly and Lok Sabha seats.

• In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, Congress contested 70 seats but won only 19 seats, a performance that disappointed the party.
• The 2024 Lok Sabha elections also saw limited success for Congress in Bihar, as BJP and JDU continued to dominate.
• With Tejashwi Yadav’s growing influence in Bihar politics, Congress must strategically position itself to maintain its relevance in the alliance.

Challenges Ahead for Rahul Gandhi and Congress

While Rahul Gandhi’s visit is a step towards strengthening Congress’s position in Bihar, several challenges remain:

1. Seat-Sharing Negotiations:
   • Congress will have to negotiate a fair seat-sharing deal with RJD to ensure electoral success.
   • RJD, as the dominant party in the alliance, is expected to demand a larger share of seats.
2. Reviving Grassroots Connect:
   • The party needs to increase its voter outreach efforts, particularly among rural and backward-class communities.
   • Engaging with youth and first-time voters will be crucial.
3. Tackling BJP and JDU:
   • The BJP-JDU alliance remains a formidable political force in Bihar.
   • Congress needs a clear narrative and campaign strategy to counter the ruling government’s influence.

Rahul Gandhi’s Bihar visit on February 5, 2025, is expected to be a politically significant event for Congress, as the party strategizes for the upcoming state elections. His participation in Jaglal Choudhary’s birth anniversary event at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna will serve as a platform to connect with the public and party workers.