Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee

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Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee
PresidentJagdish Thakor
ChairpersonSukhram Rathva
HeadquartersRajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Ahmedabad-380006, Gujarat
Youth wingGujarat Youth Congress
Women's wingGujarat Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee
Ideology
AllianceUnited Progressive Alliance
Seats in Lok Sabha
0 / 26
Seats in Rajya Sabha
3 / 11
Seats in Gujarat Legislative Assembly
62 / 182
Election symbol
Hand INC.svg
Website
INC Gujarat
This article is part of a series on the
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Frontals

The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) is the state unit of the Indian National Congress in Gujarat. Jagdish Thakor is the president of the Committee.[1] It has 1,862 seats in various urban and rural local bodies in Gujarat.[2] Its office is located at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Ahmedabad. It is the single major opposition party against the Bharatiya Janata Party in Gujarat. It has participated in every Gujarat Legislative Assembly election since 1962, the first election in the independent state.

History

Pre-independence

It was formed in 1920 and its first and longest running president was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The GPCC would organize Indian nationalist campaigns during the Indian freedom struggle, and after independence in 1947, it became responsible for supplying candidates of the Congress in local and state election campaigns.[3]

Post-independence

The party contested its first elections in independent Gujarat in 1962, under the leadership of Jivran Mehta, who won with a strong majority of 113 seats. The party lost a number of seats in 1967, under the leadership of Hitendra Desai, albeit still had a simple majority. However, soon after the election Hitendra Desai defected to the Indian National Congress (Organisation) camp and formed the government with the party. In 1971, president's rule was declared and continued upto the 1972 election. The Congress sweeped the 1972 election under Ghanshyam Oza, winning 140 of the then-168 seats in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. In 1973, Chimanbhai Patel replaced Oza as chief minister. The Chimanbai Patel government was dissolved following popular protests against the government as a part of the Navnirman Andolan in 1973-74, against economic crises and corruption in public life. The protests were successful and resulted in the dissolution of the government in 1974. President's rule was established until the next elections. In 1975, the Congress performed badly in the newly-held elections, winning only 75 out of 182 seats. The opposition parties formed the government under Bahubhai J. Patel of the INC(O). However, president's rule was declared in 1976 with Congress forming the government. This government lasted for only 3 months with the Janata Party, the new opposition bloc forming the government again. In 1980 the Congress stormed back to power with over 140 seats under Madhav Solanki. Madhav Solanki's government was extremely popular, and his government returned to power with a bigger majority in 1985. In 1990, the Congress got its lowest tally of seats in the Gujarat assembly ever, at 33. It was badly routed by the BJP-Janata Dal coalition. The Congress however came back to power in 1994. In the 1995 elections, the Congress again lost extremely bad, albeit performed better than the last election, with the BJP securing a huge majority of 121 seats. The Congress continued to perform relatively dismally in various Gujarat elections until 2015, when the Congress stormed into power in many rural local bodies of Gujarat, wiping out the BJP. The Congress also finally managed to make a major breakthrough in the 2017 Gujarat Legislative elections, reducing the number of BJP seats to 99, although it still lost the election by a few seats.

Present

The Congress performed dismally in the 2021 Gujarat local elections, following a streak of losing elections in other states. Hardik Patel, former GPCC president, resigned from the Congress in 2021, paving the way for Jagdish Thakor to take over the reigns. The Congress is currently trying to consolidate its position in Gujarat, riding on a wave of anti-incumbency.[4][5] The Congress has substantially increased its popularity in the since its 2021 local elections debacle with its Bharat Jodo Yatra, a march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.[6] The Congress has said it intends to do a similar yatra from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh in 2023.[7]

Office

Gujarat Pradesh Congress started functioning at Khamasa, Ahmedabad under leadership of Kantilal Ghiya, the first president.[8] In 1971, it was shifted to Shahpur and then to Hawawala Blocks on Ashram Road, Ahmedabad. During 1977, it was again shifted to Khanpur, which till recently was Ahmedabad City Congress Committee (INC DCC Office). Subsequently to Vikram Chambers on Ashram Road. Finally, the place where Rajiv Bhawan stands at present was handed over to Congress by Hitendrabhai Desai.[9] Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee is running from this premises, which was inaugurated on 28 December 2006 by Ahmedbhai Patel, Rajya Sabha MP.

Electoral performance

Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections

Year Seats contested Seats won Change in seats Percentage of votes Vote swing
1962 154
113 / 154
 Increase 113 50.84 Increase 50.84
1967 168
93 / 168
 Decrease 20 45.96 Decrease 4.88
1972 168
140 / 168
 Increase 47 50.93 Increase 4.97
1975 182
75 / 182
 Decrease 65 40.70 Decrease 10.23
1980 182
141 / 182
 Increase 66 51.04 Increase 10.34
1985 182
149 / 182
 Increase 9 55.55 Increase 4.51
1990 182
33 / 182
 Decrease 116 30.74 Decrease 24.81
1995 182
45 / 182
 Increase 12 32.86 Increase 2.12
1998 182
53 / 182
 Increase 8 34.85 Increase 1.99
2002 182
51 / 182
 Decrease 2 39.28 Increase 4.43
2007 173
59 / 182
 Increase 8 38.00 Decrease 1.28
2012 176
61 / 182
 Increase 2 38.93 Increase 0.93
2017 182
77 / 182
 Increase 16 41.44 Increase 2.57

2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election

Protests and Incidents

In December 2021, the Indian National Congress held a mock assembly in Rajkot, to highlight the plight of the youth for jobs. Jagdish Thakor, GPCC president, slammed the government saying "In Gujarat, 11 question papers were leaked. 25 lakh youth applied for government jobs. Despite having lost confidence in the government, 10 to 12 lakh of them are still applying for jobs and those eligible are not getting them." He also added that jobs were not going to the average youth, and that the government was giving jobs to BJP functionaries.[10]

In April 2022, Jignesh Mevani, Gujarat Congress MLA from Vadgam was arrested by Assam Police in Palanpur, the Congress hit out at the BJP, saying that he was arrested for tweeting against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu-nationalist parent organization of the BJP.[11]

In July 2022, Thakor along with several Gujarat Congress leaders workers staged a sit-in in Lal Darwaja, Ahmedabad for 2 hours to protest against the summoning of Sonia Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate, which they alleged was working with the BJP-led central government to intimidate opposition leaders. Thakor said that this was vindictive politics, "Though Soniaji is unwell, she is cooperating in the probe. The BJP is harassing opposition leaders to distract people from real issues, such as price rise." The Congress also staged a protest at Koba, Gandhinagar demanding Gujarat Subordinate Service Selection Board (GSSSB) chairman and BJP leader Asit Vora to resign.[12]

In July 2022, after the Gujarat toxic liquor deaths, the Congress slammed the BJP, saying that it is maligning the image of Gujarat, and also failing to implement the prohibition in Gujarat. "The sarpanch of Rojid (Dharmendra Patel, a Congress leader) had repeatedly alerted the police in the past regarding illicit sale of spurious liquor in his village yet no action was taken. The BJP and police are running a partnership with the bootleggers in Gujarat." Jagdish Thakor said. He also criticized the BJP for wasting taxpayers money, and for not meeting the victims of the tragedy. He said that unemployment was being neglected, and said that the government was giving booze and drugs to the youth instead of jobs.[13]

In September 2022, Thakor and the Congress party gave a bandh call in Gujarat, as a symbolic protest against inflation and unemployment. He alleged that 4.5 lakh youth were unemployed out of which 4.3 lakh were qualified, even though 4.5 lakh government posts were vacant in the state. He also said that 27000 posts for teachers are open, that there were hundreds of libraries without a librarian. Talking about inflation, Thakor said that prices of basic commodities are very high and that it had a cascading effect on the average citizen's life. He instructed Congress workers to ensure that emergency services were not stopped because of the bandh call.[14]

On 21 September, the Congress launched a "Yuva Parivartan Yatra" (Youth for Change March) in Gujarat from Ambaji, which will be going through several towns and cities.[15] It included many GPCC and Gujarat Youth Congress leaders.

Candidates

The Indian National Congress's state candidates screening committee will meet soon in late September to kickstart its process of selecting the party's candidates. It has received over 600 applications throughout the 182 seats.[16]

Manifesto

  • Employment: The Indian National Congress promised to create additional 5 lakh jobs in two years. 10 lakh jobs by 2024 with 5 lakh jobs reserved for women. Abolition of contract system in govt jobs and unemployment allowance of Rs 3000 for youth within 1 year of government formation.[1][17][18][19] Congress promised 10 lakh jobs for youth and the implementation of the Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Scheme, which will give work and economic support to poor families residing in the cities for atleast 100 days per year, as it did in Rajasthan.[2]
  • Healthcare: In August, Congress released its healthcare manifesto named Jan Arogya Sankalp Patra. It promised free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh and free organ transplants if voted to power. It also said it would increase the healthcare budget of the state, and also create a special law to reduce gender imbalance. Places with gender imbalances would be identified and Rs 3000 per month would be given to the bank accounts of daughters, and assistance of Rs 30 lakh to those who have only daughters in old age. It promised Rs 4 lakh assistance to over 3 lakh families of Covid victims. Among its other promises included Renovation of PHC and CHC hospitals across the state with modern and adequate facilities and recruition of specialist doctors, paramedical staff at all levels to strengthen the health service of the state. Setup of a 'tricolour clinic' (Tiranga Clinic) in urban areas to provide "service, diagnosis, treatment" at the ward level.[20][17][3][19] After Aam Aadmi Party announced Mohalla clinics for Gujarat along the lines of those it built in Delhi, Congress copied the promise and announced to open 'Janata Dawakhana' (Public pharmacy).[4]
  • Education: Congress promised to set up a "Mahatma Gandhi Model School" at every taluka along with a "Mahatma Gandhi Education Complex" from primary to higher education.[5] It also promised to open 3,000 English-medium schools, and free education to girls from KG to PG.[20][17][18][19]
  • Corruption: Congress promised stricter anti-corruption laws and scrutiny of corruption of the last 27 years, along with jail term to the guilty.[20][17][18][19]
  • Agriculture: Congress promised to waive farmers' loans up to 3 lakh and also waive agriculture-related electricity bills. Subsidy of Rs 5 per litre to milk producers, pressure on the central government to abolish GST on farm implements, fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides. Cancellation of the current land survey and conduction of new land survey. [6][20][17]
  • Price Rise: Congress promised free electricity for every household up to 300 units and also to cap the price of a gas cylinder at Rs 500.[20][17][19]
  • Senior Citizens: Congress promised restoration of the Old Pension Scheme in Gujarat, similar to Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.[7]

Office bearers

Name Wing/Position Department Ref(s)
Jagdish Thakor State President N/A [21]
Raghu Sharma State in-charge N/A [22]
Hemang Raval Main Stream Social Media [23]
Manhar Patel Main Stream Spokesperson [24]
Juned Patel Gujarat Youth Congress Social Media [25]

Working Presidents

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Congress Party PCC Presidents - Indian National Congress". Archived from the original on 1 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b "BJP Dominates, AAP Impresses Again In Local Gujarat Polls". NDTV. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b Jaffrelot, Christophe (10 October 2017). "The Congress in Gujarat (1917–1969): Conservative Face of a Progressive Party". Studies in Indian Politics. 5 (2): 248–261. doi:10.1177/2321023017727982. S2CID 158248463.
  4. ^ a b "On rocky road to 2022 polls, Gujarat Cong plans afresh: think local, steer clear of party vs Modi tussle". The Indian Express. 10 July 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  5. ^ a b "BJP desperate to win Gujarat; but anti-incumbency poses challenge: Analysts". www.business-standard.com. Press Trust of India. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  6. ^ a b "'Bharat Jodo Yatra' enters Kerala; Cong claims BJP worried over its popularity". Hindustan Times. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Congress plans second phase of Bharat Jodo Yatra from Gujarat to Arunachal". Business Standard India. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  8. ^ "From Bombay to Delhi". 1970. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  9. ^ "GUJARAT PRADESH CONGRESS". Indian National Congress. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Youth in state angry as jobs go to BJP functionaries: Jagdish Thakor". The Indian Express. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  11. ^ "Gujarat Congress Jagdish Thakor on MLA Jignesh Mevani arrested". Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  12. ^ "Gujarat: Congress Protests In Ahmedabad Against Sonia Gandhi's Questioning By ED". Outlook India. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  13. ^ "Govt giving drugs and liquor to youth instead of jobs: Gujarat Congress chief Jagdish Thakor". The Indian Express. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Cong gives bandh call in Gujarat to protest against inflation, unemployment". Business Standard India. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  15. ^ "બનાસકાંઠાઃ અંબાજીથી કોંગ્રેસની યુવા પરિવર્તન યાત્રાનો પ્રારંભ, જુઓ વીડિયો". ABP News Gujarati (in Gujarati). 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  16. ^ Vaktania, Saurabh (15 September 2022). "Congress gets over 600 applications for 182 seats before Gujarat polls". India Today. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Rahul Gandhi has a host of promises for Gujarat voters. Here's what Cong has on offer". Hindustan Times. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  18. ^ a b c "Rahul Gandhi promises sops in poll-bound Gujarat". The Tribune. 6 September 2022.
  19. ^ a b c d e "Congress Announces 'Dwarka Declaration' to win 125 seats in 2022 Gujarat elections". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  20. ^ a b c d e Langa, Mahesh (5 September 2022). "Rahul Gandhi announces slew of promises in poll-bound Gujarat". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Congress Party PCC Presidents". Indian National Congress. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  22. ^ "Gujarat Congress in-charge Raghu Sharma lashes out at Hardik Patel". Business Standard India. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  23. ^ "Hemang Raval is new Guj Congress Social Media Coordinator". GSTV. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  24. ^ "Gujarat School Declares Hindutva as the National Religion, Devanagari as the National Script". NewsClick. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  25. ^ "પેટ્રોલ – ડીઝલ થી લઇ રાંધણ ગેસ નો ભાવ વધારો સામાન્ય થી લઈ ધનવાનો ને અસર કરે છે:- જુનેદ પટેલ". Gramin Today. Retrieved 25 April 2022.

External links

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