Some Cong leaders ‘conniving with BJP’ weakened Congress in Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, stated that the Congress had failed to meet the expectations of the people of Gujarat for the past three decades, attributing this to internal collusion with the BJP, and asserted that eliminating such elements would restore public trust in the party.

Addressing Congress workers in Ahmedabad during his two-day visit, he emphasised the need for a renewed commitment to the people of Gujarat and underlined that strengthening the party’s internal structure was essential for regaining voter confidence, The Indian Express.

Gandhi criticised a section of Congress leaders for working in tandem with the BJP, arguing that their removal would be crucial in ensuring the party’s revival in Gujarat, where people were seeking a fresh political vision.

He pointed out that while some leaders remained dedicated to the party’s principles and the welfare of the people, others maintained a distant approach and were engaged in covert collaboration with the BJP, which he saw as a key reason for the party’s prolonged underperformance in the state.

Asserting that Gujarat’s citizens, including traders, small and medium-sized enterprises, farmers, and students, desired a strong opposition rather than a passive alternative, Gandhi stressed the necessity of distinguishing between those loyal to the party’s ideology and those compromising its integrity.

He contended that the party possessed capable grassroots leaders but insisted that their potential remained constrained due to external influence, reinforcing the urgency of organisational restructuring.

He expressed determination to remove those working against the party’s interests from within, maintaining that even a small percentage increase in voter support could significantly alter Gujarat’s political landscape.

Citing Congress’s electoral success in Telangana, he claimed that Gujarat had a considerable base of opposition voters and that bridging the existing gap required direct engagement with the people rather than mere political rhetoric.

Highlighting Gujarat’s historical significance in shaping Congress’s ideology through figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, he remarked that the state’s economic backbone, comprising industries such as textiles, diamonds, and ceramics, faced distress under the prevailing political environment.

Acknowledging the need for a long-term strategy rather than short-term electoral gains, he affirmed his commitment to strengthening the party’s presence in Gujarat by fostering a deeper connection with the electorate and revitalising the confidence of Congress workers who had lost momentum over the years.