Gujarat to Welcome AICC National Convention After 64 Years
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Synopsis
Ahmedabad prepares to host the 84th AICC National Convention on April 8-9, marking a significant return to Gujarat after 64 years. With 3,000 leaders expected, the event is crucial for Congress amid upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Key Takeaways
- Historic return of AICC to Gujarat after 64 years
- Attendance of nearly 3,000 Congress leaders
- Significant political discussions anticipated
- Extensive accommodation arrangements made
- Internal challenges faced by the GPCC
Ahmedabad, March 31 (NationPress) Ahmedabad is preparing to host the 84th National Convention of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on April 8-9, marking a momentous return of the event to Gujarat after a span of 64 years.
This prestigious gathering, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Sabarmati Riverfront, is anticipated to attract nearly 3,000 Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior figures Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and KC Venugopal.
The last AICC convention in Gujarat took place in 1961 in Bhavnagar, making this a vital event for the Congress party in the region.
With the Lok Sabha elections approaching, this gathering is set to serve as a platform for important political discussions and strategic planning.
As top Congress leaders will be in the city for two days, extensive accommodation arrangements have been made, securing around 2,000 hotel rooms across Ahmedabad and surrounding areas. Notable hotels, including ITC Narmada and Courtyard Marriott, have been fully booked.
Additionally, other upscale properties such as Hyatt, The Fern, Fortune Landmark, Lemon Tree, Rivera, and Radisson Blu have also been reserved for delegates. To ensure smooth transportation, a fleet of cars and buses has been arranged, with extra vehicle support from party workers if needed.
The Congress has partnered with private travel agencies and hotel transport services to handle any last-minute logistical requirements. Such extensive hotel bookings are generally seen during international cricket matches or major concerts, but this time, it is political activity that has driven the increased demand.
As the convention will be held at the Sabarmati Riverfront and the Sardar Patel Memorial, the Congress has made arrangements to ensure that all nearby accommodations are exclusively reserved for its attendees.
The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) is currently facing a challenging political environment, characterized by internal issues and external pressures.
In the recent 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections, the Indian National Congress (INC) experienced a substantial defeat, winning only 17 out of 182 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained its stronghold in the state.
Recently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during his visit to Gujarat on March 6 and 7, 2025, accused a faction within the state party of "colluding with the BJP".
He stressed the importance of organizational restructuring and suggested that the party should be ready to remove "20 to 30 individuals" if necessary to reinforce its position in the state.
The absence of veteran leader Ahmed Patel, who passed away in 2020, has been profoundly felt within the GPCC. Patel was crucial in connecting the central and state leadership, and his loss has created a noticeable gap in strategic coordination.
