Shankersinh Vaghela’s Congress Return Talks Gain Momentum

AHMEDABAD : Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela’s possible return to the Congress has once again stirred the state’s political landscape, with Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda confirming that discussions with the party high command are underway.

Chavda said the Congress is discussing the induction of several leaders, including Vaghela. Vaghela has also confirmed that talks are taking place. However, his formal re-entry will depend on the Congress high command’s approval.

“Discussions are going on with the high command regarding the induction of several people, including Shankersinh Vaghela,” Chavda said.

The development comes ahead of the 2027 Gujarat Assembly elections and years after Vaghela left the Congress in 2017. His departure then followed a major rebellion in the state unit, with several MLAs associated with him also leaving the party.

Vaghela has had a long and varied political career. In 1995, he rebelled against the BJP and formed the Rashtriya Janata Party (RJP). He later became Gujarat Chief Minister with Congress support and joined the Congress in 1998.

He subsequently served in the Congress and also held a Union Cabinet position. In 2017, however, he left the party and launched the Jan Vikalp Morcha. His candidates failed to win a seat in the Gujarat Assembly elections that year.

Vaghela joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in January 2019 and served as its national general secretary. He later left the party.

In November 2024, a Sneh Milan was held at Vaghela’s residence, Vasant Vagdo. He later announced the Praja Shakti Democratic Party.

Notably, in September 2026, Vaghela had publicly indicated that he planned to contest the 2027 Gujarat elections independently through his party, while recent reports have highlighted his renewed political activity.

His latest reported talks with the Congress therefore mark another turn in his long political journey. Any formal announcement of his return is expected only after the Congress high command takes a final decision.