Gujarat’s former CM Shankarsinh Vaghela floats new political Party, set to fight local body polls
AHMEDABAD: Shankarsinh Vaghela, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat and a seasoned political figure known for his affiliations with multiple parties, has announced his return to active politics with the launch of a new party, the Praja Shakti Democratic Party.
This marks Vaghela’s third attempt at forming a party, following his shifts between the BJP, Congress, and the NCP twice.
Speaking at the launch, Vaghela stated, “I left the BJP when it was at its peak. Even when I exited Congress, the possibility of forming the government remained. The belief that a third party cannot thrive in Gujarat is a myth. Look at Kejriwal—despite Congress ruling Delhi for 15 years, he emerged. I will remain associated with the new party formed.”
The Praja Shakti Democratic Party has been officially registered with the Gujarat State Election Commission and has been assigned the symbol of a javelin throw. Riddhirajsinh Parmar, a prominent figure from Danta in Banaskantha, has been appointed as the party’s president. A grand convention and the inauguration of the party’s office are scheduled for December 22 in Adalaj.
Vaghela’s recent appearances at events such as the Kshatriya Samaj Sammelan, coupled with a private meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Gandhinagar’s Circuit House, have sparked speculation about his political strategy.
The veteran leader plans to field candidates in the upcoming municipal, panchayat, and assembly elections, signaling his intent to reenter Gujarat's political fray and challenge the status quo.
Analysts Skeptical of Vaghela’s Comeback
Political analyst and journalist Dilip Patel offered a critical view of Vaghela’s latest move. “Shankarsinh Vaghela’s political clout in Gujarat is practically non-existent now. While some suggest he is aiming to assert dominance with a new party, it seems more like a strategic manoeuvre to benefit the BJP ahead of local body elections,” Patel remarked.
Patel further speculated that Vaghela’s move could split the Kshatriya vote, a key Congress support base, preventing it from consolidating against the BJP. “His track record of indirectly aiding the BJP—whether within Congress or after leaving it—cannot be overlooked. The new party might end up hurting Congress more than anyone else,” he added.
A History of Political Shifts
Vaghela’s political journey has been marked by frequent realignments. After breaking away from the BJP in 1996, he founded the Rashtriya Janata Party, which later merged with Congress. Ahead of the 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections, he formed the Janvikalp Party.
In 2019, Vaghela aligned with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and, in 2021, expressed interest in rejoining Congress ahead of Gujarat's local body elections. Now, with the formation of the Praja Shakti Democratic Party, Vaghela is once again attempting to carve out a niche in Gujarat’s political landscape.
Whether his new venture will succeed in reshaping the state’s politics or merely serve as a spoiler in upcoming elections remains to be seen.