Kharge to attend Bihar Kesari birth anniversary event in Patna on Oct 25
Synopsis
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is set to visit Patna on 25 October as chief guest at the state-level birth anniversary celebration of Bihar Kesari Shrikrishna Singh — Bihar's first Chief Minister. The event at Bapu Sabhagar is the party's most visible leadership engagement in Bihar in recent months, with the Congress seeking to reclaim Shri Babu's social justice legacy.
Key Takeaways
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will attend a state-level event in Patna on 25 October 2026 .
The event marks the birth anniversary of Shrikrishna Singh (Bihar Kesari) , Bihar's first Chief Minister, at Bapu Sabhagar .
Kharge will serve as chief guest and keynote speaker ; he is expected to arrive at Patna airport at 11 am by private jet.
The announcement was made jointly by Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh and BPCC president Rajesh Ram .
The Congress highlighted Shrikrishna Singh's role in the abolition of the zamindari system and facilitating Dalit entry into the Deoghar temple .
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will travel to Patna on 25 October 2026 to attend a state-level celebration marking the birth anniversary of Shrikrishna Singh — popularly known as Bihar Kesari and the first Chief Minister of Bihar. The event is scheduled at Bapu Sabhagar, where Congress leaders will honour his legacy of social justice, freedom struggle participation, and contributions to modern Bihar.
Key Developments
The announcement was made at a joint press conference by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh and Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president Rajesh Ram. Both leaders confirmed that Kharge will serve as the chief guest and keynote speaker at the programme.
According to the schedule released by the party, Kharge is expected to arrive at Patna airport by private jet at 11 am and proceed directly to the venue. His visit is being positioned as a significant rally of Congress leaders, workers, and supporters across Bihar.
Legacy Being Honoured
Shrikrishna Singh, affectionately referred to as Shri Babu, is remembered as a transformative figure in Bihar's post-Independence political and social history. Akhilesh Prasad Singh noted that his public life was dedicated to the upliftment of underprivileged, exploited, and marginalised communities.
BPCC president Rajesh Ram drew particular attention to two landmark contributions: the abolition of the zamindari system, which he described as a pivotal step towards economic and social reform, and Shrikrishna Singh's initiative to facilitate the entry of Dalits into the historic Deoghar temple — an important milestone in the struggle against caste-based discrimination.
What the Congress Hopes to Achieve
The Bihar Congress has stated that the programme is intended to familiarise younger generations with Shri Babu's ideals, political legacy, and vision of social equality. The party also aims to spotlight his role in institution-building and the broader development of Bihar.
Rajesh Ram appealed to citizens, intellectuals, social activists, and Congress workers from across the state to attend in large numbers, saying the event would be an opportunity to reaffirm the values of social justice and inclusive development.
Political Context
This comes at a time when the Congress is working to reassert its presence in Bihar, a state where it holds limited legislative representation and competes against entrenched regional forces. Kharge's direct participation signals that the party's national leadership views the state as a priority ahead of future electoral cycles. Notably, invoking the legacy of Bihar's founding chief minister serves a dual purpose: honouring history while anchoring the Congress's social justice narrative for a contemporary audience.
Point of View
Invoking Bihar Kesari is a calculated attempt to anchor the party's social justice credentials — particularly its anti-zamindari and Dalit rights narrative — in a state where caste remains the primary political currency. The risk is that without a stronger organisational base, symbolic gestures, however well-intentioned, may not translate into electoral capital. The Congress would need to convert the goodwill from such events into cadre mobilisation to matter in Bihar's next cycle.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mallikarjun Kharge visiting Patna on 25 October?
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is visiting Patna on 25 October to attend a state-level celebration marking the birth anniversary of Shrikrishna Singh, Bihar's first Chief Minister, at Bapu Sabhagar. He will serve as the chief guest and keynote speaker at the event.
Who was Shrikrishna Singh and why is he called Bihar Kesari?
Shrikrishna Singh was the first Chief Minister of Bihar, widely known by the honorific 'Bihar Kesari' (Lion of Bihar) and the affectionate title 'Shri Babu'. He is remembered for his role in India's freedom movement, the abolition of the zamindari system, and championing the rights of Dalits and marginalised communities.
Where will the birth anniversary event be held?
The event is scheduled at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna. Kharge is expected to arrive at Patna airport at 11 am on 25 October and proceed directly to the venue.
Who made the announcement of Kharge's visit to Patna?
The announcement was made at a joint press conference by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh and Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee president Rajesh Ram, who also appealed to citizens and party workers across Bihar to attend the event.
What does the Congress hope to achieve through this event?
The Bihar Congress has said the programme aims to familiarise younger generations with Shrikrishna Singh's ideals and legacy of social equality. The party also intends to reinforce its social justice narrative and boost its organisational presence in Bihar by rallying leaders, workers, and supporters at a high-profile state-level gathering.
