Amit Chavda named Gujarat Congress chief, replaces Solanki

AHMEDABAD: Amit Chavda, an MLA from Anklav, was appointed Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president on Tuesday, replacing his cousin Bharatsinh Solanki, who resigned two days after the AICC plenary in Delhi earlier this month.

Chavda’s appointment is said to be part of Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to revamp the party with young leaders in states ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Chavda is 41 years old.

Three-time MLA Chavda, like Solanki, hails from central Gujarat. His induction keeps the caste equation balanced with 42-year-old Paresh Dhanani, a Patidar, leading the party in the assembly.

“As per guidance by our president, we will continue to work for the people while fighting against the communal force,” Chavda said, adding, “Soon, Gujarat state will be revamped.”

Though the Congress lost the 2017 Gujarat assembly elections, its tally increased to 77 from 61 while that of the BJP reduced from 115 to 99. In 2014, the BJP had won all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat.

A young and new face as state leader also comes after its senior leaders lost the 2017 assembly elections in spite of the party giving its best performance since 1995.

Sources said Solanki was under pressure to take action against many workers close to him but allegedly indulged in anti-party activities, which could have taken away the Congress’s chance at reclaiming Gujarat.

CHAVDA’S APPOINTMENT IS SAID TO BE PART OF RAHUL GANDHI’S ATTEMPT TO REVAMP THE PARTY WITH YOUNG LEADERS IN STATES AHEAD OF THE 2019 LOK SABHA ELECTIONS