In a strategic move aimed at boosting the Congress party’s presence in Bihar ahead of the upcoming 2025 Assembly Elections, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, will launch a state-wide campaign called 'Nyay Samvad' (Justice Dialogue) from Darbhanga on May 15. The initiative is being pitched as a crucial component of the Congress’s pre-poll outreach, with an emphasis on education, student rights, job opportunities, and social justice.

The announcement was made by Kanhaiya Kumar, Congress leader and National In-Charge of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), during a press briefing in Patna on Tuesday. The campaign, formally titled ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’, is set to address long-standing educational grievances and systemic failures affecting students across Bihar.

Focus on Education and Student Welfare

At the heart of the Nyay Samvad campaign lies the issue of education. Kanhaiya Kumar highlighted that students in Bihar face recurring problems such as delayed academic sessions, exam paper leaks, and the repression of student protests. These have become persistent challenges in Bihar’s education sector, often causing unrest and disillusionment among the youth.

By directly engaging with students across various colleges, universities, and hostels, Congress aims to collect feedback and testimonies from the ground. According to Kumar, Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Darbhanga will involve interactive sessions with students, where he will listen to their concerns and expectations.

Creation of ‘Nyay Patra’

The feedback gathered during the campaign will form the basis of the 'Nyay Patra'—a charter of promises and demands that the Congress and its allies in the INDIA bloc promise to fulfill if elected to power. Kumar emphasized that the Nyay Patra will be more than just a manifesto; it will reflect the aspirations of Bihar's youth and marginalized communities.

Other Congress leaders are also expected to visit SC-ST hostels, OBC and minority student hostels, and women’s hostels as part of this campaign. These visits are designed to ensure inclusive dialogue and representation from various sections of society.

Mass Mobilisation: Shiksha Nyay Yatra

As part of the broader outreach, the Congress will also initiate a statewide ‘Shiksha Nyay Yatra’, involving over 60 national-level Congress leaders who will spread out across Bihar on May 15. This simultaneous state-wide mobilization underscores the party’s commitment to grassroots-level engagement in the lead-up to elections.

Rahul Gandhi's arrival in Darbhanga is seen as symbolic—choosing a city with a significant student population and a rich academic history. His interactions there are expected to set the tone for the rest of the campaign.

Context: Bihar’s Political Climate Ahead of 2025 Elections

The political atmosphere in Bihar is heating up, with elections anticipated between October and November 2025. While the Election Commission is yet to announce the official dates, political parties have already begun laying out their strategies.

Bihar has been under the rule of the BJP-led NDA for almost two decades, with Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) playing a central role. However, with Nitish's frequent alliance switches, the political field remains unpredictable. The opposition bloc, known as Mahagathbandhan or INDIA bloc, includes RJD, Congress, Vikassheel Insaan Party, and several Left parties like CPI, CPIML (Liberation), and CPIM.

Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), heads this grand alliance and has been working closely with Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on matters such as seat-sharing agreements. Notably, a recent meeting between Tejashwi and Rahul Gandhi hinted at deeper collaboration, though Tejashwi dodged questions about a chief ministerial candidacy.

Key Themes of the 'Nyay Samvad'

According to Congress leaders, the central pillars of the campaign will be:

• Education Justice: Addressing delays in academic calendars, paper leaks, and infrastructure deficits.

• Job Opportunities: Ensuring employment generation and tackling rising youth unemployment in the state.

• Social Inclusion: Amplifying voices from OBC, SC, ST, minority, and women student communities.

• Policy Feedback: Ground-level inputs will be directly integrated into the party's policy framework for the state.

Electoral Strategy Behind the Move

The Congress party appears to be targeting young, first-time voters and students, who form a substantial part of the electorate. With issues like joblessness and educational mismanagement resonating strongly in Bihar, the Nyay Samvad campaign is expected to be the Congress's vehicle for rebuilding its political base in the state.

The direct interaction model, which worked to some extent during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, is being revived with a localised focus. By enabling two-way communication and generating issue-based manifestos, Congress hopes to distinguish itself from what it describes as the top-down governance model of the NDA.

What Comes Next?

Following the initial leg in Darbhanga, the Congress plans to take the Nyay Samvad campaign to all major districts of Bihar. A digital platform is also reportedly being developed to collect inputs from students who cannot attend physical events. Town halls, panel discussions, and social media engagements are part of the campaign’s blueprint.

As Rahul Gandhi prepares to kick off this campaign, eyes are now on whether the Congress can translate the energy of youth engagement into electoral momentum. The Shiksha Nyay Samvad will likely serve as a litmus test for Congress’s ability to revive itself in a state where it has long played second fiddle to regional giants like RJD and JD(U).

In the coming weeks, the seat-sharing formula between INDIA bloc allies will become crucial. A unified opposition, backed by a strong grassroots manifesto like the Nyay Patra, could challenge the NDA more effectively than in previous years.

Conclusion

With the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections approaching fast, the Congress is deploying Rahul Gandhi’s visibility and outreach to regain lost ground. The Nyay Samvad aims to bridge the gap between policymakers and students, offering a rare chance for the electorate to shape electoral promises directly. Whether this strategy pays off electorally remains to be seen—but it undeniably marks a new phase in Bihar’s political discourse.

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