Gujarat Congress hopeful after BJP's loss in Uttarakhand

Ahmedabad, Aug 1: The Congress has begun seeing a ray of hope after the BJP lost the Uttarakhand by-elections recently, which according to Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) leaders, reflect an "anti-BJP wave".

The GPCC held its executive committee meeting here today to discuss its roadmap to strengthen its position in Gujarat and chart out its strategy for the forthcoming by-elections here for eight legislative seats, according to a release issued here today by the GPCC.

Addressing the meeting, senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly Shankersinh Vaghela asked party workers to go to the people and start their work for the forthcoming by-elections in Gujarat.

"Recently, people in Uttarakhand gave an anti-BJP mandate during the by-elections, after the BJP-led central government failed to fulfill its promises of curbing inflation and corruption. Similarly, people of Gujarat are also fed up with the BJP. Go to the people and hold statewide protests," Vaghela told party workers, as per the GPCC release.

The meet was also attended by GPCC president Arjun Modhwadia, former GPCC president Siddharth Patel, former leader of opposition Shaktisinh Gohil, former cabinet minister Tushar Chaudhari and many others, the release said.

Modhwadia stressed on the need to strengthen the Congress party here after it was routed in the recent Lok Sabha election.

To form new committees at district and city level, Modhwadia asked all the party leaders to get elected as a 'delegate' from their area first, without which, they would not be considered for posts of district or city presidents, no matter how senior they are, the release said.

"Besides by-elections, several civic body and panchayat elections are scheduled next year. Thus, it is necessary that the party gives chance to leaders working at the local level for the party," Tushar Chaudhari said.

PTI