Rahul Gandhi charts bold path for Gujarat Congress’ 2027 revival

Rahul Gandhi arrived in Ahmedabad on March 7, met senior Congress leaders to strategize for the 2027 elections, and focused on rebuilding the party’s grassroots organization to ensure its success in the upcoming polls

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is on a two-day visit to Gujarat, focusing on revitalizing the party’s organization and preparing for the 2027 state assembly elections. His visit comes as the Congress aims to challenge the BJP’s dominance in Gujarat, where the latter has held power since 1995.

Gandhi arrived in Ahmedabad early on Friday (March 7) and immediately headed to the Gujarat Congress headquarters in Paldi. There, he met with senior party leaders, including former state presidents and former Leaders of the Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly, to discuss the party’s current position and strategies for the upcoming elections.

The Congress leader’s focus was on rebuilding the party’s organizational structure, particularly at the grassroots level, in preparation for 2027. Gandhi made it clear that this visit was a critical first step toward securing the party’s success in the next assembly elections. "We are fully committed to winning the 2027 elections," Gandhi said in a statement from the Congress party.

Despite Congress's disappointing performance in the 2022 Gujarat assembly elections, where it secured only 17 of the 182 seats — a number that shrank to 12 after the resignation of five MLAs — Gandhi remains optimistic about the party’s prospects. His approach is to focus on strengthening the Congress at all levels, especially by engaging local leaders and party workers in the process.

Later in the day, Gandhi met with district and city Congress presidents, followed by a large gathering of nearly 400 taluka and municipality chiefs. All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary K.C. Venugopal addressed the media afterward, emphasizing that Gandhi’s approach was to listen directly to party workers. “Rahul Gandhi spent significant time engaging with leaders at every level, from block to state, to understand the challenges they face,” Venugopal said. “The focus is on strengthening the party from the grassroots and preparing for the upcoming elections.”

Gandhi’s focus on local issues

During these consultations, Gandhi highlighted the importance of addressing key issues such as unemployment, inflation, women’s safety, and the difficulties faced by farmers. These topics are seen as crucial for connecting with voters and building a robust, responsive campaign. Gandhi urged party leaders to ensure that these issues are at the forefront of the party's messaging.

In addition to addressing local concerns, Gandhi emphasized the need to fortify Congress’s organizational structure. He stressed the importance of having a strong presence at the booth level, which he identified as essential for mounting an effective challenge to the BJP. "We need to have a strong, effective organization at the booth level. This will be the foundation for our success in the 2027 elections," Gandhi told the party leaders.

The Congress leader also announced plans for an overhaul of the state unit, with a focus on ensuring greater accountability from office-bearers. He reassured local leaders that the party would implement a clear and effective restructuring plan to address the current challenges. "New office-bearers will be given more responsibility and will be held accountable for their roles," Gandhi stated.

Gandhi’s visit is part of a larger effort by Congress to regain its foothold in Gujarat, where the BJP has had a dominant presence for decades. The 2022 Gujarat elections were a wake-up call for the Congress, but the party remains committed to rebuilding and regaining its lost ground. The upcoming All India Congress Committee (AICC) session, scheduled for April 8-9 in Ahmedabad, will serve as another critical platform for the party to refine its national and state-level strategies.

Gearing up for 2027 battle

Before leaving for Delhi on Saturday (March 8) afternoon, Gandhi is set to address Congress workers in Ahmedabad, further solidifying his leadership role as the party gears up for the 2027 elections. His visit to Gujarat reflects Congress’s renewed commitment to challenge the BJP and reestablish itself as a formidable force in the state.

Gandhi's visit is just the beginning of a long-term strategy to overhaul the Congress party in Gujarat. With his emphasis on strengthening the organizational structure, engaging with local issues, and preparing for the future, the Congress leader is setting the stage for a serious contest in the 2027 elections. The next two years will be crucial for the party as it works to rebuild its base and mount a competitive challenge against the BJP’s decades-long rule in Gujarat.