Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Congress is in a revival mode by focusing on infrastructure, unity and infusion of new cadres into the party ranks, ahead of the 2012 state Assembly polls where they have to fight the formidable Narendra Modi-led BJP.
The state of affairs for the Congress is very bad in Gujarat due to various reasons which primarily include constant defeat in the state Assembly elections for the last 20 years, a party leader said.
Congress this time has decided to work from grassroots to take on Chief Minister Narendra Modi who has a mass appeal in the state. The recent win in newly-formed Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation has given much needed relief to the party which had earlier lost elections in six municipal corporations.
"When I took over as president two months ago, out of the 26 districts of the state the party had offices in just five, while out of 224 talukas, we had offices in just 60," State Congress President Arjun Modhvadia told PTI.
"Earlier, we used to have offices in all the districts and talukas. But, now the state of affairs is alarming. Where will people come if the Congress does not have offices at district and taluka levels," he said.
Modhvadia said he will ensure that the party has offices at all the district as well as taluka levels before June. "It is very important to have proper infrastructure at talukas as well as districts for the party's future," he said.
Another Congress leader said due to lack of party offices, individual leaders of the district and taluks used to operate from their own offices in many places which led to differences between local leaders.
"Offices at districts and talukas will have modern communication facilities and remain open for people and party workers, which will give them the feeling that they belong to the party and not to one MLA or local leader," the Congress
leader added.
"Modhvadia has categorically told leaders to forget their differences as the party is supreme. Infighting between different groups would not be tolerated. It is the clear message," party spokesman Manish Doshi said.
"I have suggested to all leaders at taluka, district and also at state level to have a get-to-gather once in a month for top 15 to 20 leaders at the house of one leader. This will go a long way in forming unity at taluka, district and state levels," Modhvadia said.
"I have started this concept at the state level and top 15-20 leaders of the party are meeting every month. This is the way to sort out differences as leaders can discuss freely in such meets," he further said.
Once we are through with sorting out our infrastructure issues, we plan to carry out massive enrollment drive for the party by organising conferences and seminars in the next two months, he said.
"We intend to raise party membership and will target the youth," party leaders said.
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