Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Former Gujarat CM Vaghela In Talks To Rejoin Congress
Shankersinh Vaghela may join the Congress party again.
He is 86 and has had a long political career in Gujarat.
Vaghela says he has talked with several senior Congress leaders.
He wants to meet Rahul Gandhi before making a final decision.
The Gujarat branch of Congress has reportedly agreed to his possible return.
The party has not yet received final approval from its national leaders.
Congress may ask Vaghela to campaign in local and state elections.
Vaghela was once Gujarat’s chief minister and left Congress in 2017.
No formal announcement has been made yet.
Shankersinh Vaghela, 86, is discussing a possible return to the Congress nearly a decade after leaving it.
Vaghela said he has spoken with senior Congress leaders and wants to meet Rahul Gandhi before rejoining.
The Gujarat Congress unit has reportedly approved his return, but central leadership has not given final clearance.
Congress leaders hope to use Vaghela as a campaigner in the Gandhinagar municipal elections and the 2027 Gujarat Assembly polls.
Vaghela served as Gujarat chief minister from 1996 to 1997 and left the Congress in 2017; no formal return has been announced.
- Who
- Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela and the Indian National Congress.
- What
- Vaghela is in discussions about rejoining Congress, subject to further approval and a meeting with Rahul Gandhi.
- When
- The discussions are taking place ahead of the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation elections and the 2027 Gujarat Assembly polls.
- Where
- Gujarat, particularly Gandhinagar.
- Why
- Vaghela says he wants to help defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party government, while Congress leaders hope to use his political experience and network in elections.
- Age
- Shankersinh Vaghela is 86.
- Possible party
- Indian National Congress.
- Current status
- Discussions are underway, but no formal return has been announced.
- Approval
- The Gujarat Congress unit has reportedly approved the possible return; central approval remains pending.
- Potential role
- Congress leaders may use Vaghela as a star campaigner in the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation elections.
- Relevant elections
- The discussions come ahead of the Gandhinagar municipal elections and the 2027 Gujarat Assembly polls.
- Political record
- Vaghela served as Gujarat chief minister from 1996 to 1997 and left Congress in 2017.
