With the Assembly elections nearing, the Congress high command has reportedly prepared a renewed strategy to revive its prospects in the state. Sources said election strategist Sunil Kanugolu, who played a key role in Congress victories in Karnataka and Telangana, has been assigned responsibility for shaping the party’s Gujarat poll plan. The party is expected to undertake a major organisational restructuring by August end, replacing inactive office-bearers with younger leaders drawn from the grassroots. Around 50 prospective candidates will be shortlisted and assigned a clear electoral roadmap well in advance.
BJP adds new chapter to workers’ study material
Gujarat BJP’s organisational reshuffle has brought a new lesson into party study classes, Gen-Z connect, social media and the art of counter-narrative. Sources said a recent Saurashtra session focused on everything from Instagram reels to shaping the online narrative, with workers being told that meetings and rallies alone will no longer suffice. The exercise also focused on countering criticism of the BJP government by highlighting alleged shortcomings in the Congress era on paper leaks, education, health and roads. But the biggest talking point was “attendance”. Sources said explanations have been sought from leaders who skipped classes.
‘Kankotri’ quip gets political chuckle
Former Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel’s congratulatory post for three newly appointed BJP national office-bearers sparked a political chuckle. When asked why Ahmedabad’s Rohan Gupta was missing from the list, Patel’s reply was blunt: “I don’t know him.” He added, “You should not go to anyone’s wedding without a kankotri (wedding card). I have never met him.” Four Gujarat leaders Varsha Doshi, Hemang Joshi, Jagdish Patel and Gupta have joined the BJP’s national team. Gupta, a former Congress digital campaigner, joined BJP in April 2024 after quitting the Congress. Patel’s “kankotri” quip has now become the talking point.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya
Our correspondent in Gujarat
dilipsingh@newindianexpress.com
