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As the first phase of Bihar’s elections nears, Congress unleashes 40 major campaigners including the Gandhis, Kharge and Gehlot, can their star power turn into votes on November 6 and 11?
Congress has announced 40 star campaigners for Phase 1 of Bihar’s 2025 Assembly elections.
Patna: With the first phase of the assembly elections set for November 6 and 11 across 121 constituencies in Bihar, the Congress has unveiled a high-powered list of 40 star campaigners as part of its strategy to regain ground.
Leading the list are Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, names that signal national intent and high-voltage campaigning.
The party’s hope: that these marquee figures will create waves of momentum, attract media attention, and energise local cadres in a state where organisational strength and regional alliances matter.
Their exposure is paired with a focus on key constituencies where the party believes its core messages on social justice, employment and youth outreach can resonate.
What sets the list apart is its deliberate inclusion of a mix of veteran leaders and younger, grassroots-oriented personalities. Names like Sachin Pilot, Kanhaiya Kumar and Jignesh Mevani appear alongside Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel and Digvijay Singh.
According to party insiders, that blend aims to straddle multiple voter segments: older at-home audiences, first-time youth voters, rural communities and marginalised groups.
For instance, Rahul Gandhi is earmarked to campaign in Patna, Gaya and Darbhanga, while Kharge and Sonia Gandhi will prioritise events emphasising employment and social equity.
The logic: national stature brings visibility; local voices build trust. Still, converting that into votes in a state like Bihar—where identity, region and alliance matter—remains the core challenge.
The list includes senior figures such as Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Ashok Gehlot.
While the campaigner list brings promise, internal fault-lines persist. Reports highlight dissent around ticket allocation and demands from aspirants within the state unit.
With the party part of the broader INDIA bloc alliance, the dynamics of seat-sharing and regional partner coordination add another layer of complexity.
The rollout of this campaigner list also coincides with criticisms of the ruling alliance, for example, statements targeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the BJP’s alleged misuse of pre-election schemes.
For Congress, therefore, the test is twofold: mobilising local structures and maintaining internal cohesion while avoiding speech-to-vote gap in any constituency.
