Ahmedabad, 9 April

Congress party leaders have confirmed adoption of a special resolution to bring the party back to power in Gujarat during the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session on 9 April. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power in Gujarat since 1995.

Gujarat Congress spokesperson Hiren Banker confirmed that the resolution was passed during the session held on the banks of the Sabarmati river here. Addressing a press conference earlier during the session, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said this is the first time in his party's history that a state-specific resolution has been moved during an AICC session.

The resolution, titled 'Why Congress is needed in Gujarat', outlined the party's strategy to return to power with the motto of 'Nutan Gujarat, Nutan Congress' (New Gujarat, New Congress), he said. When asked why the motion was moved, Ramesh said, "This session is being held in Gujarat and we have been out of power in this state for the last 30 years."