Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Sep 22: In a strategic move to energise its base and assert greater influence ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress party is preparing to make a major political splash with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s first rally in the state, dubbed the “Har Ghar Adhikar Rally”, to be held in Motihari.
Announcing the development, Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh said the rally would mark the formal launch of the Grand Alliance’s campaign, although the date is yet to be finalised.
Key Developments:
• Priyanka’s debut rally in Bihar signals the party’s growing ambition in the state’s politics.
• A Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting will be held in Patna’s Sadaqat Ashram on September 24, with top leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and K.C. Venugopal expected to attend.
• The twin events — the CWC meet and Motihari rally — are viewed as tactical pressure points ahead of seat-sharing talks with alliance partner RJD.
Congress Demands Bigger Role
Despite a disappointing performance in the 2020 elections — winning just 19 out of 70 seats contested — Congress is reportedly demanding over 70 seats this time. This puts the party at odds with alliance leader Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which is hesitant to concede so much ground.
The RJD, led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, is also juggling demands from other allies, including:
• Mukesh Sahani’s VIP
• Pashupati Kumar Paras’s RLJP
• Hemant Soren’s JMM
• Left parties like CPI-ML, CPI, and CPI-M, who outperformed Congress in 2020
“We Know Lalu’s Family Well”
Amid signs of infighting within the Lalu family, Congress MP Akhilesh Singh brushed off concerns, saying, “We know Lalu's family intimately. Once Lalu Prasad scolds them, everything will calm down.”
On seat-sharing disagreements, he added, “Everything is settled. It will be revealed at the right time.”
Political Implications
Priyanka Gandhi’s planned rally is being seen not just as a crowd-puller, but also as a signal to allies that Congress wants a more commanding role in the Bihar alliance. With the CWC meet and high-voltage rally lined up, Congress is clearly seeking to reset its narrative in the state, where it has long played second fiddle to regional heavyweights.