Surat, March 9 —Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday called for a restructuring of the party’s Gujarat unit, warning of strict action, including removals, against leaders and workers who, he claimed, were covertly working for the BJP.
Speaking to party workers on the second day of his Gujarat visit, Gandhi said the Congress needed to distinguish between two types of leaders—those committed to the party’s ideology and the public, and those who had distanced themselves from the people. “Half of them are with the BJP,” he alleged.
“Our first job is to filter these two groups, even if it means taking strict action,” Gandhi said, adding that unless this separation happens, “the people of Gujarat will not believe in us.”
Gandhi’s visit comes as part of the party’s preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections, with indications of a major shake-up in the state leadership. He assured party workers that a strong strategy was being planned to challenge the BJP.
He urged district and block presidents, as well as senior leaders, to embody the party’s values. “Congress should be in their blood. Winning and losing elections is secondary—what matters is earning the people’s trust,” he said.
Gandhi criticized the state’s economic condition, claiming that industries like diamond, textile, and ceramic were struggling while farmers were in distress. “The people of Gujarat are trapped. They need a new vision, but the one from the last 20-25 years has failed. Congress can provide that vision, but not without cleansing our ranks,” he said.
Acknowledging that the Congress has been out of power in Gujarat for over three decades, Gandhi said election results were a reflection of the party’s shortcomings. “Unless we fulfill our responsibilities, the people will not trust us. We should not seek power until we prove ourselves,” he said.
He reminded party workers that Gujarat shaped the Congress, producing leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel. “Without Gandhi, India wouldn’t have achieved independence,” he said, adding that Patel was among the party’s greatest leaders.
Gandhi said leadership was not lacking within the Congress but was being stifled. “Our leaders, including myself, must engage with the people, understand their expectations, and work towards their education, health, and future,” he said.
He cited the Congress’ recent success in Telangana, where a 22% increase in vote share brought the party to power, arguing that in Gujarat, a mere 5% boost could turn the tide.
During his two-day visit, Gandhi met party leaders at the district and block levels. His trip precedes the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session in Ahmedabad on April 8-9, the first in the state in 64 years.
In the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections, Congress won just 17 of 182 seats, with the number dropping to 12 after five MLAs resigned.
