Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela has signalled his willingness to return to the Congress, nearly a decade after leaving the party.
Vaghela has held discussions with senior Congress leaders, including Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda, AICC general secretary in-charge of Gujarat Randeep Singh Surjewala and former Union minister Bharatsinh Solanki, regarding a possible return.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Shankersinh Vaghela has expressed willingness to return to Congress.
He left the Congress in 2017.
Discussions with Congress leaders are underway.
Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda has confirmed that talks are continuing.
Vaghela wants to meet Rahul Gandhi before his return is finalised.
His possible return comes ahead of the 2027 Gujarat Assembly election.
Vaghela has said he is ready to join the Congress with the objective of challenging the BJP government in Gujarat. However, his return has not yet been formally finalised. He has indicated that he wants to meet Rahul Gandhi before taking a final decision on rejoining the party.
Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda has also confirmed that discussions regarding Vaghela's possible induction are continuing with the party's central leadership. He said Vaghela is among several leaders whose induction is being considered.
The development comes ahead of the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation elections and the 2027 Gujarat Assembly election, adding significance to the discussions over Vaghela's possible return.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Vaghela is a veteran figure in Gujarat politics with a long history in both the BJP and Congress. A formal return to Congress could have political and organisational significance for the party as it prepares for the 2027 Gujarat Assembly election. However, the immediate development is the ongoing discussion over his induction rather than a confirmed change of party.
Vaghela left the Congress in 2017 after a long association with the party. He later remained active in Gujarat politics through other political platforms, including the Nationalist Congress Party, and subsequently became associated with the Praja Shakti Democratic Party.
