Congress Holds Historic AICC Meet in Gujarat; PM Meets Dubai Crown Prince
In a significant political development, the Indian National Congress is set to hold its first All India Congress Committee (AICC) session in Gujarat in over six decades, marking a symbolic return to the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The two-day event, which kicks off today in Ahmedabad, comes at a time when the grand old party is seeking to regroup after a series of electoral setbacks.
Congress Gathers in Gandhi’s Gujarat After 63 Years
The last AICC session in Gujarat took place in 1961 in Bhavnagar. Now, more than 60 years later, the Congress leadership has chosen Ahmedabad as the stage for critical discussions on party revitalization and strategy ahead of upcoming state and national elections.
The extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is being hosted today at the Sardar Patel Memorial, followed by the main AICC session tomorrow on the banks of the Sabarmati River, between Sabarmati Ashram and Kochrab Ashram — sites deeply associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy.
According to party insiders, the session is expected to focus on internal restructuring, with potential announcements aimed at empowering grassroots leaders — including enhancing the authority of district Congress presidents and instituting greater accountability mechanisms. The discussions will also shape the Congress’s electoral approach for the upcoming state polls later this year and in 2026.
Key Resolutions and Ideological Messaging
Several critical resolutions are expected to be passed, addressing pressing national concerns such as rising unemployment, inflation, the economic slowdown, challenges in agriculture, social justice, and foreign policy. The party also aims to highlight perceived threats to the Constitution and growing religious polarization.
A drafting committee led by senior leader Randeep Surjewala has prepared a working document, which the CWC will review today. It remains to be seen whether the Congress will issue a comprehensive omnibus resolution or break down its stance issue-by-issue.
Congress leaders are also expected to contrast their legacy with that of the ruling BJP. Many are preparing to reclaim Sardar Patel’s ideological heritage, reminding attendees and the public that Patel, though often referenced by the BJP, had banned the RSS after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. The Congress intends to frame this AICC session as a renewed ideological challenge to the BJP-RSS combine — right from Gujarat itself.
The party had previously held a similar symbolic session in Belagavi four months ago, commemorating the 100th anniversary of a Congress meet presided over by Gandhi. Like that session, this one is also designed to reinvigorate party morale and reconnect with its foundational values.
Despite the build-up, internal voices within the party remain skeptical about the session’s impact. One senior Congress leader remarked,
PM Modi to Host Dubai Crown Prince in Landmark Visit
In parallel political and diplomatic developments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, who begins his first official visit to India today. The visit comes at the invitation of PM Modi and aims to deepen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the Crown Prince will join the Prime Minister for a working lunch and hold meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He will also participate in a high-profile business roundtable, highlighting growing economic and commercial ties between the two nations.
Dubai plays a pivotal role in India-UAE relations, with the majority of the 4.3 million-strong Indian diaspora in the UAE residing there. The visit is expected to boost bilateral cooperation across trade, defense, infrastructure, and cultural sectors.
Amit Shah in Kashmir to Review Security, Development
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a crucial visit to Jammu and Kashmir today. He is scheduled to chair a high-level security review meeting with senior police and security officials to assess the current situation in the region.
Shah will also evaluate ongoing development projects in the Valley, signaling the central government’s continued focus on both security and economic progress in the region.