Story perspectives

Gujarat Congress in talks to rejoin Vaghela

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 10:16 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela is in advanced talks to rejoin the Indian National Congress in Gujarat.
Vaghela says his return depends on a personal meeting with Rahul Gandhi.
The Gujarat Congress unit approved his return and will field him as a star campaigner for the Gandhinagar municipal election.
AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda met Vaghela.

History

Historical Context

In 1999, senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar split from the party to launch the Nationalist Congress Party, citing leadership concerns. Pawar attracted 30 % of Congress’s parliamentary legislators, and the new party secured 54 seats in the 1999 Lok Sabha election. Similarly, Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela is negotiating a return to Congress, meeting Rahul Gandhi, Amit Chavda, and Randeep Singh Surjewala before the Gandhinagar race. These defections illustrate how Indian parties repeatedly reshape alliances, prompting voters to reassess loyalty and influencing upcoming state and municipal election outcomes.

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Story summary

Former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela is in advanced talks to rejoin the Indian National Congress in Gujarat.
Vaghela says his return depends on a personal meeting with Rahul Gandhi.
The Gujarat Congress unit approved his return and will field him as a star campaigner for the Gandhinagar municipal election.
AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda met Vaghela.

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