People of Gujarat want alternative to BJP, not B-team: Rahul Gandhi

Ahmedabad: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday called upon party workers to build up a relationship with the people of Gujarat, stressing that they were tired of the BJP's three-decade-long rule and were seeking an alternative.

“People of Gujarat want an alternative vision, not the B-team of the BJP”, Gandhi said, while addressing party workers here.

He said, the Congress can easily provide that alternative. Noting that, the Congress only needs to improve its vote share by five percent in Gujarat and there will be a "complete turnaround".

Stating that Gujarat gave great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to the Congress and to the nation, the former Congress President said, "People of Gujarat were expecting the Congress to provide the same sort of leadership once again".

The opposition leader said that he wanted to build up a relationship with the people of Gujarat including youth, farmers, labourers, small and medium businessmen and traders, who were looking towards Congress to provide an alternative vision, as the current “model” that is in place for about last three decades has completely failed.

Gandhi noted that the small and medium industry and trade were the backbone of Gujarat’s economy. He, however, regretted that this section of the business and trade had been completely destroyed, while referring to the massive decline in the diamond, textile and ceramic industry.

“Gujarat is stuck; it is looking for a way out. It does not see a way out”, the Rae Bareli MP observed, adding, “Gujarat wants to move forward”. He made it clear that the people of Gujarat want an alternative and not a B-team of the BJP.

The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha observed that the leadership of the party, including himself, right up to the district and block level needs to first build a relationship with the people of Gujarat, only then can the expectations of the people be fulfilled.

Asserting that Congress was in a perfect position to stage a comeback in Gujarat, he said, Opposition in Gujarat still commands 40 percent support. Gandhi said, the Congress needed to increase its vote share by five percent only.

Quoting the example of Telangana where Congress increased its vote share by 22 percent, he said, if the party can increase that much vote share in Telangana, it can also increase five percent vote share in Gujarat and turn the tables.

Rahul, earlier held detailed meetings with party leaders and workers including the district and block presidents to get their feedback.