Kharge: Bihar Polls to Mark ‘Beginning of the End’ for Modi ‘Corrupt Rule’

In a powerful declaration from the historic city of Patna, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has stated that the upcoming Bihar assembly elections will be a turning point, marking “the beginning of the end of the Modi government’s corrupt rule.” Addressing an extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting—the first in Bihar since Independence—Kharge launched a scathing attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of electoral manipulation, diplomatic failures, and the weakening of democratic institutions.

The CWC meeting, held at the Sadaqat Ashram, a hub of the independence movement, was a strategic move by the Congress party to galvanize its ranks and set a clear agenda for the crucial Bihar polls. Kharge’s speech focused heavily on what the Congress terms “vote chori” or “vote theft,” alleging that the BJP is misusing the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar to deliberately delete the names of Dalit, tribal, backward class, minority, and poor voters.

Kharge framed this issue as a direct assault on the foundation of democracy itself. He argued that the theft of votes is a precursor to the theft of essential services and rights, including rations, pensions, and educational opportunities for the most vulnerable sections of society. The Congress president also questioned the impartiality of the Election Commission, claiming that it is demanding affidavits from complainants instead of investigating the allegations of vote tampering. This, he said, is an attempt to silence those who are raising legitimate concerns about the electoral process.

Beyond the specific allegations of electoral malpractice, Kharge broadened his critique to the national stage. He accused the Modi government of presiding over a period of economic slowdown, rampant unemployment, and social polarization. He reminded the public of the BJP’s unfulfilled promise of creating two crore jobs annually and criticized the government’s handling of key economic policies like demonetization and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Kharge pointed out the irony that the government is now implementing the very GST reforms that the Congress had advocated for from the beginning.

The Congress leader also sought to highlight perceived divisions within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar. He claimed that the BJP now views its ally, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, as a liability and has “mentally retired” him. Kharge asserted that the people of Bihar are weary of the BJP’s divisive politics and instead desire a focus on development, social justice, and good governance.

The CWC meeting and Kharge’s remarks are part of a concerted effort by the Congress and its allies in the Mahagathbandhan to build momentum ahead of the state polls. The party believes that a victory in Bihar, a state historically seen as the cradle of democracy, would not only be a significant political win but would also set the stage for a broader change in the national political landscape. The message from Patna is clear: the Congress is positioning the Bihar elections not just as a state-level contest, but as a pivotal battle for the integrity of India’s democratic and constitutional values. Sources