Ex-Gujarat CM Shankarsinh Vaghela may return to Congress 9 years after leaving party

The stage seems all decked up for former Gujarat chief minister Shankarsinh Vaghela to return to the Congress, nine years after he parted ways with the party. Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda has confirmed that discussions are underway with the party high command to facilitate Vaghela’s return, along with that of some other prominent leaders.

Chavda, while speaking to the media, confirmed the ongoing negotiations. “Discussions are underway with the Congress high command to welcome Shankarsinh Vaghela and some other prominent leaders into the party. A final decision on Shankarsinh Vaghela's joining the Congress will be made after receiving the green signal from the high command,” he said.

Chavda also said that Vaghela had been publicly opposing the policies of the BJP, as well as the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and was leading a political struggle.

According to the state Congress chief, discussions were continuing with Vaghela’s party and people associated with him.

Chavda further claimed that the BJP’s support base was being affected by issues such as alleged vote theft and paper leaks, prompting discussions among sections of people about joining the Congress.

While the state unit is preparing for his re-entry, the final decision rests with the central leadership, sources told India Today. A formal announcement is expected once the high command gives its approval.

CONGRESS HIGH COMMAND HOLDS KEY

A meeting with the Congress high command is still awaited, following which the date for Vaghela’s formal return is expected to be finalised. Party sources indicate that the Congress is keen to complete the process ahead of the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation elections.

There are also indications that Vaghela could return before Navratri, although the timeline will depend on the central leadership’s approval.

The discussions are not limited to Vaghela, with the party also considering the induction of other prominent leaders.

VAGHELA LEFT CONGRESS IN 2017

Vaghela, popularly known as ‘Bapu’, left the Congress in 2017 after differences with the party leadership. He subsequently formed the Janvikalp Morcha and contested the Gujarat Assembly elections that year, but none of his candidates won.

Sources said efforts to bring him back into the Congress gained momentum after Vaghela met Randeep Surjewala following the latter’s appointment as the party’s Gujarat in-charge. Since then, discussions regarding his return have gained traction.

DECADES-LONG POLITICAL CAREER

Vaghela’s political career stretches back to the 1960s and 1970s, when he began as an RSS pracharak and later became active in the Jan Sangh. He was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1977 and became a founding member of the BJP.

He served as Gujarat BJP president and later rebelled against the party in 1995 with the support of 47 MLAs.

He formed the Rashtriya Janata Party and became Gujarat chief minister in 1996 with Congress backing.

The RJP merged with Congress in 1998. Vaghela subsequently served as a Congress MP from 1999 to 2009, Gujarat Congress president from 2002 to 2004 and Union textile minister in the UPA-1 government.

After leaving Congress in 2017, Vaghela formed the Janvikalp Morcha. He joined the NCP in January 2019 and served as its national general secretary before resigning in 2020. In November 2024, he announced the formation of the Praja Shakti Democratic Party.

Vaghela’s possible return now marks another turn in a political career that has seen him move between the BJP, Congress and regional formations.

With the Gujarat Congress already holding discussions with the high command, the immediate next step is the central leadership’s approval.

Once the green light is received, the party is expected to announce the date and formal arrangements for his return, potentially ahead of the Gandhinagar civic elections.