Congress to release Bihar manifesto on Tuesday; Rahul Gandhi to resume campaigning on October 29

With Bihar heading into a high-stakes election, the Congress will release its manifesto on Tuesday, marking the formal launch of its full-scale campaign in the state. The move comes as the party looks to reassert its position within the Mahagathbandhan and inject momentum into its poll effort. Senior leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge are expected to join the campaign soon after Chhath festival.

Rahul Gandhi will return to the Bihar campaign on October 29 with joint rallies, alongside RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Muzaffarpur’s Sakra constituency and Darbhanga. This will be his first visit to the state since September 1, when he addressed a rally in Patna at the conclusion of his Voter Adhikar Yatra, in which he called for social justice and employment and declared, “If Bihar rises, India rises.”

According to Rajesh Rathore, chairman of the Bihar Congress Media Department, Rahul Gandhi will commence his campaign with a rally at Sakra (Reserved) Assembly seat in Muzaffarpur, supporting Congress candidate Umesh Ram. Following that, he will address another rally in Darbhanga, backing RJD and alliance nominees.

Rahul’s return comes after nearly two months of intense campaigning by the BJP’s top brass, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, as well as multiple rallies by Tejashwi Yadav. His absence had become a talking point within political circles, making his upcoming rallies a key test of the Congress’ ability to regain ground in Bihar’s competitive political landscape.

After weeks of deliberation, the Mahagathbandhan has announced Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial face, with Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani likely to serve as his deputy if the bloc comes to power. The Congress, contesting on a reduced seat share, is banking on Rahul’s campaign restart and the manifesto release to consolidate its base and project unity within the opposition camp.

Meanwhile, CPI(ML) Liberation, another INDIA bloc constituent, has already released its Sankalp Patra, pledging land reforms, justice for the landless, and 65 per cent reservation for disadvantaged groups. It has also vowed to oppose the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Bihar if the alliance forms the government.

Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said the party’s priorities include redistribution of 21 lakh acres of land, loan waivers for farmers and rural labourers, and legal protection for Dalits and the poor against violence and police excesses.

With its manifesto set for release on Tuesday and Rahul Gandhi's campaign revival scheduled shortly thereafter, the Congress aims to leverage the momentum from its Voter Adhikar Yatra and reassert itself as a central force in the Mahagathbandhan, positioning for what is shaping up to be one of Bihar's most politically charged contests in recent years.