During his two-day visit to Ahmedabad, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that some Gujarat Congress leaders have been secretly supporting and working with the BJP. Whatever it may be, he told party workers there is a need to revamp the state’s Congress. He suggested that the party should be prepared for the removal of 20 to 30 people if required. Gandhi said the party has been unable to come up to the expectations of the people in Gujarat for the last 20 to 30 years.
He divided Congress leaders into two groups: the ones who work for people and those who remain aloof and are with the BJP. He urged that any leader found to be involved with the BJP from the inside will be eliminated. ”This is not a two- or three-year project. This is a 50-year project for Congress in Gujarat,” he said. He pointed out that the opposition has 40 percent of the vote bank in the state already.
He said that a 5 percent increase in Congress’ vote could do wonders, similar to the party getting a 22 percent vote share in Telangana. State Congress leaders have mixed reactions to his remarks; Jignesh Mevani, the state party’s working president, and tribal leader Arjun Rathwa supported Gandhi’s stance, while Jenny Thummar, a former Mahila Congress president, argued that punishing the leaders was not the solution, saying there was a need to motivate them and take them back into the party fold. There are two knots now. While some fear his strong statements may ignite infighting, others see them as a stepping stone for Congress’s resurgence in Gujarat.
Edited by Saumya Sharan
