AHMEDABAD: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi today fired a sharp warning at party leaders in Gujarat, accusing some of secretly aiding the BJP.
He asserted that the Congress is prepared to sack up to 40 members if needed to cleanse the party in the BJP-dominated state, where it has remained out of power for decades.
On March 8, Ahmedabad’s Jade Hall became the battleground for Congress strategy as 2,000 party workers gathered for a high-stakes dialogue. District and city Congress leaders, along with cell department heads, joined the session, setting the stage for Rahul Gandhi’s fiery address.
Speaking for 25 minutes in the 45-minute program, he delivered a sharp message, taking on the BJP and energising the party ranks.
Addressing the gathering, Gandhi said, “For nearly 30 years, we have been out of power here. Every election - 2017, 2012, 2007, 2022, and now 2027 - becomes a talking point. But the issue is not elections. Until we fulfil our responsibility, the people of Gujarat will not trust us. And frankly, we shouldn't ask for their vote until we do. The day we fulfil our duty, I guarantee you, Gujarat will stand with Congress.”
Rahul Gandhi said, “Now, let’s talk about the reality of leadership in Gujarat. There are two kinds of leaders - one who stands with the people, fights for them, and believes in Congress’ ideology. The other? Detached, indifferent, and often switching sides to the BJP. Until we separate these two, people will not trust us. Gujaratis want an opposition, not BJP’s B-team.”
“Congress has no shortage of leaders - our district, block, and senior leaders are lions, Babbar Sher! But they are shackled. I once heard a worker say, ‘Congress puts racehorses in wedding processions and wedding horses in races.’ We must end this. If 10, 20, or even 40 people need to go, so be it. Those who don’t carry Congress in their hearts have no place in our organisation,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi said, “Once we fix this, Gujarat’s people will rally to us like a storm. This isn’t a two-year or five-year project - this is a 50-year mission. Congress’ ideology is Gujarat’s ideology. What Gandhi and Patel taught us, we must practice here.”
Talking about Gujarat, Gandhi claimed, “Gujarat is struggling. Its backbone- small traders, entrepreneurs, farmers - is breaking. Look at the diamond industry, the textile industry, the ceramic industry - everyone is crying for a new vision. The past 25 years of governance have failed. Congress can provide this vision, but only if we clean house first.”
“We proved in Bharat Jodo Yatra that Congress can connect with people and change politics. Our leaders, including me, must go door-to-door, listen, and engage. We haven’t come to give speeches or slogans - we are here to listen and act,” he added.
“Gujarat’s opposition already has 40 per cent of the vote. This is not a minor force. If we increase it by just 5 per cent, BJP is finished. We did it in Telangana - 22 per cent growth! Here, we only need five. But without internal reform, we won’t get it.”