Ahmedabad, Sep 12: Newly appointed Gujarat Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday said the party would formulate a fresh agenda aimed at building a powerful and progressive Gujarat focused on employment, enterprise and the interests of farmers and the poor.
Addressing reporters after meeting senior state leaders at Rajiv Bhavan, the Congress headquarters in Ahmedabad, Surjewala said the party would collect suggestions from its colleagues over the next 10 days before preparing a comprehensive policy and vision for the state.
Surjewala, who was visiting Gujarat for the first time since being appointed the state in-charge, said the state holds special significance for the Congress as the ideology and vision of the party were deeply rooted in the soil of Gujarat.
He invoked the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, saying their principles of “Satya, Sahas, Sangathan aur Andolan” Truth, Courage, Organisation and Agitation would guide the party’s renewed efforts.
“We wish to embrace this mantra once gifted by Bapu and Patel to the Congress to embark on a fresh journey: building a new, powerful, progressive Gujarat that fosters employment and enterprise, a Gujarat that truly belongs to farmers and the poor,” Surjewala said.
He said the meeting focused on strengthening the ideology of Gandhi and Patel and turning it into a vibrant movement across the country.
The Congress leader said discussions also covered several issues affecting farmers, workers, traders and young people in Gujarat. Among the key concerns were the proposed solar and wind power corridors being developed across the state.
While supporting renewable energy projects, Surjewala questioned whether their implementation could adversely affect agricultural land across more than 20 districts. He said the party would work on a strategy to protect farmers’ interests and ensure they receive a fair share of the economic benefits generated by such projects.
The condition of Surat’s diamond industry and its workers also figured prominently in the discussions. Surjewala said the state has around 12-15 lakh diamond workers and questioned why a dedicated welfare board had not been established for them.
He also raised concerns over workers who had allegedly died by suicide after losing their livelihoods and questioned the absence of adequate compensation for their families. He suggested that a welfare mechanism could provide salary support for up to 24 months to workers who lose their jobs.
Surjewala further highlighted challenges confronting diamond traders, including the growth of lab-grown diamonds, US sanctions on Russia, difficulties in importing rough diamonds and declining exports. He said the industry had suffered losses running into lakhs of crores.
The Congress leader also raised concerns over the textile sector in Surat and questioned why the existing 5 per cent GST on fabric could not be removed altogether. He suggested establishing centres in major textile hubs such as Surat, Ludhiana and Panipat where traders could operate without the burden of GST.
Issues concerning youth, particularly examination paper leaks, were also discussed during the meeting.
Surjewala said the party’s state leadership would collect suggestions from its colleagues over the next 10 days. These inputs would then be compiled in consultation with the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president and the Congress Legislature Party leader.
The final policy and vision, he said, would be built around the four principles of Truth, Courage, Organisation and Agitation, with the objective of giving Gujarat a fresh political and development roadmap.
The Congress is seeking to strengthen its organisational base in Gujarat ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, with Surjewala’s appointment seen as part of the party’s efforts to rebuild its presence in the state.