AICC Session: Cong Returns to Guj after 64 Years

In a historic political moment, the Indian National Congress (INC) has convened its 86^th full plenary session on the banks of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, marking the party’s return to Gujarat for a national convention after a gap of 64 years.

The last Congress session in the state was held in 1961 in Bhavnagar. Now, six decades later, the party seeks to reignite its ideological and organizational strength from the land of Gandhi, Patel, and Naoroji.

The two-day national convention, held under the theme ‘Nyaypath: Sankalp, Samarpan, Sangharsh’ (Path of Justice: Resolve, Dedication, Struggle), began with a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial.

More than 260 senior Congress leaders from across India have gathered in Ahmedabad for the session, chaired by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge.

Top party leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi landed in Ahmedabad today in chartered flights, reaffirming the significance of the event. This plenary session comes at a critical juncture for the Congress, following a mixed bag of electoral results—showing gains in the Lok Sabha but facing defeats in states like Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi. With the 2024 General Elections behind them, the Congress is now focused on introspection and revitalization.

Kharge’s Scathing Speech: BJP-RSS Under Fire

In his address at the CWC meeting, Mallikarjun Kharge came down heavily on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing them of hijacking institutions, distorting history, and carrying out a “well-planned conspiracy” to malign the Congress and its leaders.

“We are here once again to draw inspiration and strength from Gujarat—the land of Gandhi, Patel, and Naoroji,” Kharge said, adding that 2024 marks 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi became Congress President at the 1924 Belgaum session.

Kharge said the BJP and RSS are systematically trying to control institutions associated with Gandhi and rewrite history to suit their ideology. “An atmosphere is being created against the Congress party, which has a glorious 140-year legacy of service and struggle,” he noted.

He especially countered efforts to create a rift between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru, calling them “two sides of the same coin”. Quoting Patel’s speeches and letters, Kharge emphasized their mutual respect and unity. He also highlighted Patel’s role in shaping the Constitution through the Karachi Resolution and as Chair of the Constituent Assembly’s Advisory Committee on fundamental rights and minorities.

‘RSS Has No Claim Over Patel’s Legacy’

Kharge accused the RSS of appropriating Sardar Patel’s legacy hypocritically. “Patel banned the RSS. Their ideology was contrary to his. Today, the same people claim his legacy—this is laughable,” he said.

He also accused the RSS of disrespecting national icons, citing how effigies of Ambedkar and Nehru were burned when the Constitution was adopted. “Dr Ambedkar himself said that without the support of the Congress, the Constitution could not have been framed,” Kharge reminded the gathering.

Disregard for History

Kharge did not spare the Modi government, accusing it of dishonouring national figures by relocating their statues and mocking their legacy in Parliament. “The Home Minister (Amit Shah) joked in the Rajya Sabha, saying ‘you keep chanting Ambedkar’s name; if you had taken God’s name this many times, you would have earned salvation in seven lifetimes.’ This is shameful,” Kharge said.

He announced that the Congress will celebrate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150^th birth anniversary on October 31 with nationwide fervour and respect. “Those who think like the BJP might steal Gandhi’s glasses and stick, but they can never adopt his ideals,” he said pointedly.

Call for Unity

Calling 2025 the “Year of Organization”, Kharge urged party workers to rebuild from the ground up. “Gujarat is the state where Congress once held power for the longest time. Today, we return here to seek strength and unity,” he declared.

“The ideological legacy of Gandhi is our real wealth,” he added. “To promote our ideology of unity, integrity, and social justice, we must first strengthen ourselves. Strengthen your organization.”

Congress leader Pawan Khera also spoke ahead of the session, stating that despite campaigns like “Congress-mukt Bharat,” the party still stands tall, with people looking toward it with hope. He asserted that Gujarat, the birthplace of Gandhi and Patel, would help guide the party in these turbulent times.

Looking Ahead

On Wednesday, the second day of the plenary session, the Congress will witness a larger congregation at the Sabarmati Riverfront, where CWC members, Pradesh Congress Committee presidents, chief ministers of Congress-ruled states, and senior leaders will discuss future strategies, political challenges, and the roadmap ahead.

The Ahmedabad session, steeped in symbolism and political urgency, is expected to be a turning point in the Congress party’s journey—a chance to reboot, reconnect, and reassert itself in India’s evolving political landscape.