Shankersinh Vaghela may rejoin Congress after nine years
Published
Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda has confirmed talks with the high command on bringing him back. The return still needs its approval, and one report expects it around Navratri.
Reporting as of 1 October 2026, 9.15am IST.
In 2017, Shankersinh Vaghela quit the Congress before Gujarat's Assembly election. Now, 9 years on, the party's state chief says talks to bring him back are under way.
Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda has confirmed talks with the party's high command on inducting Vaghela, a former chief minister, and others. Nothing is final: the return still needs the high command's approval.
Vaghela left in 2017 and went on to build his own outfits
His route, as the reports set it out:
- October 1996 to October 1997: chief minister of Gujarat, for about a year.
- 2017: left the Congress before that year's Assembly election.
- After that: formed the Jan Vikalp Morcha.
- Later: launched a party of his own.
- 2026: talks on a return to the Congress.
His own pitch for coming back is blunt.
Vaghela has offered to help the Congress take on the BJP
"If you need to defeat BJP and want to use me, just say so," Vaghela said, according to ETV Bharat Gujarati.
He may not come back alone. Chitralekha reports that he may return with supporters and workers.
The Congress side has sounded just as open.
Gujarat Congress says it welcomes anyone joining its campaign
Chavda said the party welcomes anyone who joins its campaign against authoritarianism, ETV Bharat Gujarati reported. His talks with the high command cover Vaghela and others, who are not named in the reports we read.
The two outlets framed it a little differently. ETV Bharat Gujarati wrote of a possible homecoming after a long gap, with talks under way. Chitralekha wrote of buzz about a return after Chavda's statement.
When that return could happen is the next question.
Navratri is the expected window, but nothing is confirmed
ETV Bharat Gujarati expects the official joining around Navratri. No date has been confirmed, and the high command has not announced a decision.
Still open:
- whether the high command approves the return;
- who the others in the talks are;
- whether supporters and workers come with him, as Chitralekha reports he may.
What happens next rests with the high command. If it says yes, ETV Bharat Gujarati expects the joining around Navratri.
This story was produced with AI assistance and reviewed, edited and verified by the reporter before publication.
Covered by 2 outlets across the spectrum: 0% left, 0% center, 100% right.
Who is covering this story
- Right-leaning (2): Chitralekha, ETV Bharat Gujarati