AICC Adopts Special Resolution ‘Why Congress is Needed in Gujarat’, Launches ‘Nutan Gujarat, Nutan Congress’ Slogan

In a significant political move aimed at reviving its fortunes in Gujarat, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) passed a special resolution on Wednesday titled ‘Why Congress is Needed in Gujarat’. The resolution, adopted during the AICC session held in Gujarat, outlines the Congress party’s vision, strategy, and commitment to return to power in the state after nearly three decades.

With the new slogan ‘Nutan Gujarat, Nutan Congress’ (New Gujarat, New Congress), the party hopes to signal a fresh beginning and a break from what it called “decades of misgovernance” under the BJP. Gujarat has been ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 1995, and the Congress has struggled to regain its foothold. In the 2022 state elections, Congress won only 17 out of 182 seats, and its strength has since dropped to 12 following resignations.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, described the resolution as a historic step, stating it was the first time a state-specific resolution had been passed during an AICC session. “This session is being held in Gujarat, and we have been out of power here for 30 years. This is a timely and necessary reflection on how the Congress intends to serve the people of Gujarat,” Ramesh said.

The resolution promises key policy shifts, including conducting a caste survey to ensure social justice for marginalized communities—Dalits, tribals, OBCs, and minorities. It outlines the party’s plan to address the issues affecting a broad range of citizens, including students, farmers, small traders, industrialists, labourers, and the middle class.

Ramesh also sought to clarify the party’s stance on industry, emphasizing support for small and medium enterprises while criticizing what he described as crony capitalism. “We are not against industrialists. We are against a system that benefits just one or two corporates,” he said.

He reminded attendees that Gujarat’s industrial base was laid by the Congress in the 1960s and 70s. “Eighty percent of the country’s stainless steel units are in Gujarat, but one-third of them have shut down due to unrestricted Chinese imports. This is a failure of the Modi government,” he added.

With this resolution, the Congress hopes to rebuild trust among voters and reclaim its legacy as a development-driven, inclusive political force in Gujarat.

AM.