Congress Decides to Independently Contest Gujarat Bypolls, Ends Alliance with AAP

Synopsis

On April 18, the Congress party in Gujarat announced its decision to contest the upcoming by-elections for the Visavadar and Kadi Assembly seats independently, without the Aam Aadmi Party. This resolution was reached during a Political Affairs Committee meeting, emphasizing the party's focus on strengthening its organizational structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

Key Takeaways

Congress will contest Gujarat bypolls independently.
The decision follows a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee.
Historical trends show voters reject third-party alliances.
AAP's previous influence has been detrimental to Congress.
Focus on rebuilding support among rural and traditional bases.

Ahmedabad, April 18 (NationPress) The Congress party in Gujarat has declared its intention to independently contest the by-elections for the Visavadar and Kadi Assembly seats, opting out of a collaboration with its INDIA bloc partner, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

This decision was reached after a pivotal meeting of the Gujarat Congress’ Political Affairs Committee, led by Mukul Wasnik, the party’s national general secretary and state in-charge, in Ahmedabad. Alongside the bypoll strategy, the assembly also addressed organizational issues, including the selection of district presidents, which is anticipated to be concluded by May 31.

Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil affirmed that the resolution was made unanimously after evaluating previous electoral patterns in the state. "Voters in Gujarat have consistently rejected a third front," he stated, referencing historical efforts by figures such as Shankarsinh Vaghela, Chimanbhai Patel, and others to establish alternative coalitions—all of which failed to achieve meaningful electoral success.

“Even with AAP capturing 11 percent of the votes in the last election, it primarily harmed Congress rather than aiding the opposition in the state,” Gohil asserted.

The significant meeting included notable state leaders, such as Amit Chavda, the Leader of the Opposition, former state president Jagdish Thakor, senior figures Siddharth Patel and Bharat Singh Solanki, along with MLAs Jignesh Mevani and Shailesh Parmar.

Gohil further stressed that Congress remains the main opposition party in Gujarat, and contesting these bypolls under its own symbol would be a crucial step to enhance its visibility. "This decision serves the interests of the Gujarati populace. We are determined to contest and win these seats independently, and I appeal to voters to support Congress now and again in 2027 to establish a robust alternative government," he added.

Previously, the emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which made its inaugural appearance in Gujarat in 2022 and won five seats, has further diminished Congress' vote share, particularly among urban voters and the youth. Internal divisions, insufficient grassroots organization, and the lack of charismatic local leadership have compounded the party’s challenges.

Despite these challenges, Congress still wields influence in certain rural areas and retains support among traditional bases like Dalits, tribals, and segments of the OBC community. The party is now prioritizing the rebuilding of its cadre and enhancing organizational frameworks in preparation for the 2027 Assembly elections.