"Congress will rise again in Gujarat": AICC observer Kuldeep Singh Rathore

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 14 (ANI): Congress MLA and party spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Rathore, who has been appointed as observer for Gujarat by the Congress, said on Monday that the party will start 'Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan' in the state.
Addressing a press conference, he said 'Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan' will start from April 15 and the party will seek to strengthen its organizational base.
"All senior leaders and observers will work together to ensure victory in the Gujarat assembly elections and to form a Congress government in the state," he said.
Referring to the AICC session in Ahmedabad, he said the party's national leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi delivered "a clear and motivating message" to party workers that "time has come to launch a decisive struggle against the BJP's policies in every street and city across India".
"The Congress is on a path of justice, fighting for the rights of people suffering from unemployment, inflation, and economic hardship," he said
Rathore emphasized that the Congress has declared the year as the Year of Organization, and strengthening the party at the district and block levels.
He made it clear that now Block Congress Committees and District Congress Committees will play a key role in the selection of candidates for elections.
He said earlier, candidates were, many times, imposed from the top but now "grassroots organization will be given importance".
"Congress workers remain active in Gujarat. I used the same strategy in Himachal, where we had lost for 30-35 years, I led padyatras, united factions, and revived the organization. As a result, we won those constituencies and played a key role in forming the government. We will do the same in Gujarat. Nothing is impossible if your intent is strong," he said.
"Congress will rise again in Gujarat. The enthusiasm of our workers is intact, and we will go into the elections fully organized at every level," he added.
He also criticized the BJP-led central government for diverting public attention from real issues like inflation, unemployment, and foreign policy failures by trying to create a communal atmosphere.
"Rahul Gandhi's 3,000 km yatra sent a strong message of unity and justice, while the BJP's boast of 400 seats fell flat. They are now running the government with crutches," Rathore said.
He also addressed concerns specific to Himachal Pradesh, particularly the issue of import duties on apples, which directly impacts the state's economy.
"If we don't increase import duties on apples, it will damage our economy. I will be writing to all our MPs requesting them to raise this issue with the Prime Minister," he said.
He appealed to the Leader of the Opposition and former CM Jai Ram Thakur to rise above politics and join hands on the issue.
He said party organisation in Himachal Pradesh will also gain strength.
(ANI)