Congress National Convention Begins in Ahmedabad: CWC Meets on Day One, Focus on Empowering District Presidents

Raipur/Ahmedabad: The Congress National Convention kicked off today in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, with a two-day schedule set along the banks of the Sabarmati River. Senior leaders from Chhattisgarh have reached Gujarat to attend the crucial gathering.

The convention commenced with tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and the first major event was the meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial. The meeting, chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, saw participation from around 262 delegates of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) representing various states.

One of the key topics on the agenda is a proposal to give more authority to district presidents, aiming to boost the party’s strength at the grassroots level. According to sources, the plan includes enhancing decision-making powers at the district level to make the party more booth-ready and reduce its reliance on top-heavy structures.

An evening prayer and bhajan session is scheduled at 5 PM at the Sabarmati Ashram, where party leaders will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh underlined the symbolic importance of the venue, coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. He emphasized Patel’s deep association with Congress leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru in building modern India.

Ramesh also voiced concerns over growing threats to democracy and the Constitution, asserting that the Constitution remains the beacon for ensuring justice to all citizens.

The convention will also spotlight Rahul Gandhi’s organizational strategy, which focuses on decentralization and direct communication between district presidents and the high command. This move aims to tighten organizational monitoring, reduce factionalism, and cut down the dominance of state leadership.

However, questions have been raised over whether this renewed centralization signals a return of high command culture within Congress. Observers are watching closely to see if these measures can truly revive the party’s structure or merely reflect an old model of control.

The final decision on empowering district-level leadership is expected to be announced during the convention.