National convention returns to state after 64 years
New Delhi: The Congress is to put out an ambitious plan to strengthen the party organisation bottom-up in the upcoming two-day AICC session in Ahmedabad starting Tuesday. The session's tag line will be known as “Nyaypath Sankalp Sangarsh and Samarpan”. Congress MP and party general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday traced the Indian National Congress's longstanding connection with Gujarat and announced that the next meeting is scheduled for April 8-9 in Ahmedabad under the presidentship of party leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh said, "The Indian National Congress was established on December 28, 1885. It first met in Gujarat at Ahmedabad during December 23-26, 1902, under the presidentship of Surendra Nath Banerjee. The second time the INC met in Gujarat was at Surat during December 26-27, 1907, under the presidentship of Rash Behary Ghose. The third time the INC met in Gujarat was again in Ahmedabad, during December 27-28, 1921, under the presidentship of Hakim Ajmal Khan."
Ahmedabad is gearing up to host the 84th National Convention of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on April 8-9, marking a historic return of the event to Gujarat after a gap of 64 years. The meeting, set against the scenic backdrop of the Sabarmati riverfront, will witness the presence of several Congress leaders, including Mr Kharge and senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and K.C. Venugopal.
Congress general secretary Sachin Pilot highlighted a "generational shift" within the party, with young leaders stepping up, while emphasising Gujarat’s historical ties to the Congress through figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel. The session coincides with significant milestones: the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, the centenary of Gandhi’s only AICC presidency in 1924, and the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution.
The party leaders see this as an opportunity to reconnect with their legacy and address contemporary challenges like unemployment, inflation, and organisational revival.
The choice of Ahmedabad, in BJP-ruled Gujarat, signals a bold move to reclaim political ground. Mr Gandhi recently visited the city, rallying workers by invoking Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel’s contributions. With the BJP’s dominance in the state since 1998, the Congress hopes this session will lay the groundwork for a resurgence, blending nostalgia with a forward-looking agenda.
