First CWC Meet in Bihar Since Independence
The meeting marked the first post-Independence CWC session held in Bihar, underlining the state’s significance ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the polls could become the “beginning of the end” of the BJP-led government at the Centre, describing the ruling party’s tenure as marked by corruption and communal polarisation.
Criticism of Modi’s Foreign Policy
The resolution alleged that Modi’s personalised diplomacy, described as “huglomacy,” had backfired. It claimed India has been left diplomatically cornered, unable to safeguard its strategic interests. “The Prime Minister’s failed outreach has reduced India’s global influence at a critical time,” the party stated.
Allegations of ‘Vote Chori’
The Congress reiterated its accusation that the BJP engaged in “vote chori” (vote theft). The resolution accused the ruling party of manipulating voter rolls and using central agencies like the CBI and ED as political tools. Rahul Gandhi was praised for leading the Voter Adhikar Yatra, which the party described as a fight to protect democratic rights.
BJP Hits Back
Responding to the sharp criticism, senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad dismissed Kharge’s remarks as “very unfair.” He questioned the Congress leadership’s credibility, saying, “Mr. Congress president, please introspect about your own standing in a party where power lies elsewhere.”
Social Justice and Constitutional Concerns
The CWC resolution also accused the BJP-RSS of weakening democratic institutions. It alleged that the Election Commission had become a “mouthpiece” for the government, while reservations were being diluted through privatisation. Dalits and Adivasis, it said, faced systemic discrimination and rising violence.
Disaster Response and Ecological Crisis
Expressing grief over recent floods and cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra, the Congress blamed the Modi government for failing to provide sufficient relief. The resolution described the disasters as a “wake-up call” to adopt more sustainable development models.
Manipur Violence and Governance Failure
The party reiterated its criticism of the government’s handling of the Manipur crisis, saying Modi’s belated five-hour visit showed a lack of political will to address the violence. It accused the Centre of silence, inaction, and complicity in fostering an environment of hate.
Assembly Elections in Focus
With Bihar polls approaching, Congress is expected to sharpen its campaign against the BJP. Kharge hinted at highlighting issues of governance, corruption, and communalism. The resolution sought to unite opposition forces under the INDIA bloc, though the BJP has mocked the coalition as “Lathbandhan.”
The CWC meeting signals the Congress’s attempt to reposition itself as a central challenger to the BJP, framing both domestic governance and foreign policy as key battlegrounds for the upcoming elections.
