NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday called for the removal of party members who are covertly working for the BJP. Addressing party workers in Gujarat, he emphasized the need to strengthen the state unit and take decisive action against those disconnected from the public.  

Gandhi stated that the Gujarat Congress has struggled to provide a clear direction for the state. He warned against any activities favoring the BJP and stressed that those secretly working for the rival party should do so from outside the Congress.  

“If we need to take strict action, we should do it. If 10, 20, 30, or even 40 people have to be removed, then so be it. Those working for the BJP from within should go and work from outside. You won’t find a place here; we will remove you,” he declared. Gandhi asserted that until these individuals are separated, the people of Gujarat would not trust the Congress.  

During his two-day visit to the state, aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, Gandhi highlighted the need to differentiate between genuine Congress supporters and those aligned with the BJP. He acknowledged that Gujarat wants progress but lacks a clear political alternative, criticizing the Congress’s failure to meet public expectations over the past three decades.  

“The vision of the last 20-25 years has failed. Congress can provide a new vision, but this won’t be possible unless we filter out those who don’t align with our ideology,” he said.  

His remarks drew criticism from the BJP, which accused the Congress of shifting blame for its own shortcomings. BJP leaders urged Gandhi to take responsibility rather than deflecting failures onto internal party conflicts.  

Meanwhile, Congress leader Mumtaz Patel, daughter of late party veteran Ahmed Patel (who was once considered the second most influential person in the party), openly expressed concern that dedicated Congress workers are not being given opportunities within the party.