Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad is set to host the 84th National Convention of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on April 8-9, marking the event’s return to Gujarat after a 64-year hiatus.
This prominent gathering will take place against the picturesque backdrop of the Sabarmati Riverfront, bringing together nearly 3,000 Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and KC Venugopal.
The last AICC convention in Gujarat was held in 1961 in Bhavnagar, making this event significant for the Congress party within the state. With upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the convention is expected to serve as a platform for crucial political discussions and strategic planning.
With key Congress leaders staying in the city for two days, extensive accommodation arrangements have been made, with around 2,000 hotel rooms reserved in Ahmedabad and surrounding areas. Prominent hotels such as ITC Narmada and Courtyard Marriott are fully booked, while other upscale properties like Hyatt, The Fern, Fortune Landmark, Lemon Tree, Rivera, and Radisson Blu have also been secured for delegates. To ensure smooth transportation, the party has organized a fleet of cars and buses, with additional support from party workers if needed.
Congress has collaborated with private travel agencies and hotel transport services to address any last-minute logistical needs. Such large-scale hotel bookings are usually associated with international cricket matches or major concerts, but in this instance, the surge is driven by political activity.
The convention will be hosted at the Sabarmati Riverfront and the Sardar Patel Memorial, with Congress ensuring that nearby accommodations are exclusively available for its attendees.
The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) is currently navigating a challenging political landscape, facing both internal issues and external pressures. In the 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections, the Indian National Congress (INC) suffered a significant defeat, winning only 17 out of 182 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued to hold its dominant position in the state.
Recently, during his visit to Gujarat on March 6 and 7, 2025, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused a faction within the state party of “collaborating with the BJP,” stressing the need for organizational restructuring. He hinted that the party might need to consider removing “20 to 30 people” to strengthen its local presence.
The GPCC has felt the absence of veteran leader Ahmed Patel, who passed away in 2020. Patel was vital in bridging the central and state leadership, and his loss has created a noticeable gap in strategic coordination.