Kharge criticized Bihar’s “double engine” government over unemployment, youth migration, and unfulfilled promises, highlighting governance failures ahead of the October-November assembly elections.
BY PC Bureau
September 24, 2025 — In a historic and high-profile gathering at Sadaqat Ashram, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge delivered a scathing keynote address at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, focusing on alleged “vote chori” (vote theft) by the Election Commission (EC) and the BJP. The session, attended by over 170 senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, marked the first CWC meeting held in Bihar since Independence, highlighting the political importance of the state ahead of the October-November assembly elections.
Addressing the Extended Congress Working Committee (CEC) in Patna, Kharge said, “Like in Bihar, a conspiracy is being hatched to cut the votes of millions across the country. Vote theft means theft of rations for Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, ultra-backward classes, minorities, the weak and the poor, theft of pensions, medicines, children’s scholarships, and exams.”
“Today, when our voter list is being officially tampered with, it is necessary that we hold our Extended CWC meeting in Bihar, the mother of democracy, and reiterate our commitment to preserve democracy and the Constitution of this country,” Kharge added.
READ: Delhi Ashram Rocked by Sex Abuse Charges, Guru on the Run
Electoral Integrity Under Question
Kharge underscored the importance of fair and transparent elections as the foundation of democracy, alleging that the impartiality and transparency of the EC were being seriously questioned. “There have been disclosures in various states, yet the Election Commission of India is asking us for affidavits instead of addressing these concerns,” he said.
He also criticized the BJP for treating Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a burden. “The internal strife in the NDA coalition is now open. Nitish Kumar is mentally retired for the BJP, which now considers him a liability,” Kharge remarked.
Governance Critique
Kharge attacked the “double engine” government in Bihar, citing core issues such as unemployment, low rural consumption, and the failure to double farmers’ income. “The BJP re-supported Nitish Kumar in January 2024 to form the NDA government. The Nitish government promised development, but Bihar’s economy is lagging. The claim of a ‘double engine’ proved hollow—no special packages from the Centre, unemployment over 15%, and millions of youth migrating annually. Recruitment scams have sparked protests, and young people are facing police action in the streets,” he said.
LIVE: Congress President Shri @kharge addresses the Congress Working Committee | Patna, Bihar. https://t.co/aIweBfk0zE
— Congress (@INCIndia) September 24, 2025
He added that farmers in Bihar were among the most affected in the country and highlighted the government’s failure in flood management, affecting millions each year. “The Prime Minister promised to revive Bihar’s sugar industry, yet ten years later, that promise remains unfulfilled,” he said.
Kharge also emphasized social justice and electoral representation: “80% of Bihar’s population belongs to OBC, EBC, and SC/ST sections. The people demand transparency in caste census and reservation policies.”
READ: Prime Accused in Assam Rifles Ambush Arrested in Imphal, Weapons Recovered
He further criticized Prime Minister Modi on the international front, stating, “Our international troubles are the result of the failures and diplomatic shortcomings of Narendra Modi and his government. The so-called friends he touts are creating crises for India today.”
Political Mobilization and Voter Awareness
Kharge credited Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Rights Yatra with raising awareness among Bihari voters. “Awareness has spread among the people, and they have openly come out in support of Rahul Gandhi,” he said.
Party sources noted that discussions during the meeting included seat-sharing arrangements with INDIA bloc allies, including the RJD. However, the anti-“vote chori” resolution dominated proceedings, with plans for intensified protests, legal challenges to the EC’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of rolls, and broader voter awareness campaigns.
Symbolism of Sadaqat Ashram
The choice of Sadaqat Ashram, tied to India’s freedom struggle and leaders like Rajendra Prasad, reinforced the Congress’s commitment to democratic principles. Kharge invoked this legacy in his call for Bihar’s reconstruction, pledging initiatives in jobs, education, health, social justice, and good governance through the INDIA alliance.
Party insiders described the CWC meeting as a “war room” for Bihar’s assembly elections, aiming to mobilize the state’s predominantly OBC, EBC, and SC/ST electorate, comprising roughly 80% of voters. Kharge’s emphasis on electoral transparency signals Congress’s intent to make “vote chori” a central plank of its campaign, potentially influencing national discourse on democracy ahead of 2025.
The CWC conclave concluded with directives to intensify grassroots campaigns, strengthen legal challenges to the EC’s processes, and consolidate alliance strategies, all under the banner of protecting voter rights and democracy.
Main Points of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s Speech at CWC Meeting, Patna (September 24, 2025)
|
Key Point
|
Details
|
|---|---|
|
Condemnation of “Vote Chori”
|
Accused the Election Commission (EC) and BJP of “vote chori” (vote theft) through systematic voter list tampering to disenfranchise millions, especially Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, EBCs, and minorities. Stated, “Vote theft is not just about elections; it is the theft of rations, pensions, medicines, scholarships, and opportunities for the poor.”
|
|
Nationwide Conspiracy
|
Alleged that Bihar’s voter suppression model is being replicated across India, citing deletions of 23 lakh voters in 20 constituencies and 2.5 lakh in one constituency as evidence.
|
|
Criticism of EC’s Accountability
|
Slammed the EC for evading responsibility, saying, “Revelations of voter list tampering have surfaced, yet the EC demands affidavits from us instead of addressing concerns.”
|
|
Support for Voter Adhikar Yatra
|
Praised Rahul Gandhi’s “Voter Adhikar Yatra” for raising awareness in Bihar, noting, “The Yatra has awakened Bihar’s people, and they have rallied behind Rahul Gandhi.” Urged escalation of a nationwide 5-crore signature campaign against “vote chori” by October 15.
|
|
Bihar’s Governance Failures
|
Criticized the NDA’s “double engine” model, highlighting unemployment above 15%, youth migration, recruitment scams, and unfulfilled promises like special central packages and sugar mill revivals.
|
|
NDA’s Internal Strife
|
Mocked the BJP-Nitish Kumar alliance, stating, “The BJP has mentally retired Nitish Kumar and now sees him as a burden,” predicting the 2025 Bihar polls as “the beginning of the end of Modi’s corrupt rule.”
|
|
Defense of Democracy
|
Positioned the CWC meeting in Bihar as a stand to save democracy, saying, “We hold this meeting in Bihar, the cradle of democracy, to reaffirm our pledge to save India’s Constitution.” Linked to the 1939 Ramgarh AICC session.
|
|
Focus on Social Justice
|
Emphasized Bihar’s 80% OBC-EBC-SC/ST population, demanding transparency in caste census data and equitable reservation policies to ensure jobs, education, and social justice.
|
|
Call for Reconstruction
|
Concluded with a vision for Bihar’s reconstruction, pledging, “From here, we sound the bugle for Bihar’s reconstruction with jobs, education, health, and good governance.”
|
