Guj Cong plans protests to 'expose' BJP, to rope in NGOs

The Congress in Gujarat would launch agitations at regular intervals to "expose" the ruling BJP and rope in NGOs and other non-political organisations for raising various issues concerning common people, especially urbanites.

As part of its preparations for the 2019 polls, the Congress would focus more on urban areas of the state which the BJP counts as its traditional strongholds.

The Congress today held a meeting of all MLAs, corporators, and party office-bearers from eight major cities at its headquarter here, said state Congress unit president Amit Chavda.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Chavda said the Congress would focus more on Ahmedabad and Surat cities.

He indicated the Congress would appoint zone-wise working presidents for these two cities along with unit presidents.

"We have undertaken an exercise to strengthen our base in cities. During today's meeting, it has been decided that the party workers would reach out to people of urban centres to understand their problems and raise issues concerning them, such as high electricity bills and corruption," Chavda told reporters.

"Our leaders would also give various agitation programmes at regular intervals to expose the ruling BJP in these cities," he said.

The Congress would rope in NGOs and other non-political organisations to raise issues of urban people at various platforms, said Chavda.

Speaking at the press conference, Gujarat Congress incharge Rajiv Satav underlined the need for reshuffling of party cadres to expand the party's urban footprint.

"The party is also mulling to impart training to elected representatives for improving their performance. To decentralise power, we will do reshuffling and give a chance to dedicated workers. We will chuck out those involved into anti-party activities or are involved in indiscipline," Satav said.

In 2017, the BJP managed to retain power for a sixth term, but with a reduced tally. While the saffron party pocketed 99 seats out of the total 182 seats, the Congress improved its performance upon 2012 polls by winning 77 seats.

The results suggest the BJP did well in urban constituencies whereas the Congress gained mostly in the rural parts.