Congress To Hold Key Meeting In Ahmedabad Tomorrow, Priyanka Gandhi Likely to Get Bigger Role

The Congress party is set to kick off a crucial two-day session in Ahmedabad starting Tuesday, with its top decision-making body—the Congress Working Committee (CWC)—meeting to deliberate on key political and organisational reforms. The session, to be followed by a full-fledged party convention on Wednesday, is being seen as a significant reset for the party ahead of several key state elections.

A major highlight of the internal discussions is likely to be an expanded and more structured role for Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Senior party leaders have indicated that she may be entrusted with direct responsibility for a key state or electoral strategy as the party aims to sharpen its outreach and leadership clarity.

“Right now, one of our key focusses is how Priyanka Gandhi can take on a more direct and structured responsibility, especially with six major state elections on the horizon,” a senior party leader said, underlining the growing call within the party ranks for a more prominent role for her.

While Priyanka Gandhi has campaigned actively in states like Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, she currently holds no specific portfolio within the organisation, leading to calls for better utilisation of her connect with voters.

The CWC meeting will focus on a range of issues, including decentralisation of organisational power, strengthening district-level units, and building a cohesive alliance strategy within the INDIA bloc. Key political and social resolutions are expected to be passed, including one opposing the contentious Waqf Bill, which the party plans to challenge through legal means.

Symbolically and strategically, the venue of the gathering in Gujarat carries weight. This is the first time in nearly 60 years that the Congress is hosting a national convention in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move comes as the party seeks to reclaim lost ground in Gujarat, where it has struggled to mount a strong challenge in recent years.

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Party leaders are framing the session as the beginning of a revival journey. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and other senior leaders will address the ‘Nyay Path’ convention on the banks of the Sabarmati river on April 9. Over 2,000 delegates from across the country are expected to attend.

Adding to the event’s symbolic heft, party leaders will visit the Sabarmati Ashram to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi and participate in a bhajan-kirtan session. The road to the CWC venue will be adorned with Gujarati cultural motifs, and the evening will include performances by renowned artists like Mallika Sarabhai and traditional folk acts.

Rahul Gandhi has reiterated the party’s commitment to revamping its Gujarat unit, even suggesting tough structural changes if needed. During a recent visit to the state, he declared that the INDIA bloc would defeat the BJP in Gujarat—now a rallying cry for the party’s push.

Congress leader Pawan Khera summed up the sentiment: “Just as the Congress worked tirelessly during the freedom movement, we will now work with the same spirit to return to power in Gujarat.”