With the 2025 assembly elections in states like Bihar approaching fast, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party should look ahead to 2026, a year that promises another round of high-stakes state polls in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.
While Bihar’s 2025 election is a critical battleground for Congress to reclaim relevance, Rahul Gandhi’s strategic plan for these states could lay the groundwork for a sustained revival of the Congress across India’s diverse political landscape.
Bihar, with its assembly elections slated for late 2025, serves as a testing ground for strategies that could define Congress’s fortunes in 2026. With Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led government facing heavy anti-incumbency, the Congress is hoping for a comeback in the state.
Rahul Gandhi’s frequent visits to the crucial state—such as his January 18, 2025, trip to Patna for the ‘Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan’ and his February 5, 2025, appearance to honor Dalit icon Jaglal Choudhary—signal an intent to rebuild the party’s base among OBCs, Dalits, and EBCs. Success in Bihar could provide momentum and a blueprint for states like West Bengal and Assam, where caste and community dynamics similarly influence voting patterns. Interestingly, in all these states going to polls, Congress used to be the leading political force till a few years ago.
Ahead of the Bihar polls, the Congress scion will also need to work on the Mahagathbandhan with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Left parties. A cohesive alliance here could inspire confidence in Tamil Nadu (with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) for 2026.
Sources stated that the Congress leader is also expected to push for a caste census and higher reservation caps which resonate beyond Bihar, appealing to marginalized groups in West Bengal (SCs/STs) and Assam (tea garden workers), setting a thematic continuity for future campaigns.
It must be pointed out that the Congress has struggled with weak grassroots structures in states set for 2026 polls. Rahul Gandhi’s repeated visits to these states and better political strategy is also expected to energize party workers and leaders.
Though each of these states presents unique challenges, the sooner the Congress’ high command engages in preparations, the better will be the chances of revival for the grand old party.
The Congress’ critique of the National Democratic Alliance’s economic record could evolve into a national narrative by 2026. Glaring vulnerabilities like the unprecedented volatility in share markets, growing unemployment and inflation, weak rupee and repeated mishaps on the railways network, could turn into issues that may be highlighted by the opposition.
