The Congress on Tuesday appointed Amit Chavda president of the party unit in Gujarat, reported PTI. He replaced Bharatsinh Solanki.
“The party recognises the service and contribution of Sri Bharatsinh Solanki, who has relinquished the responsibility as the GPCC [Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee] president,” the Congress said in a statement.
The Congress had lost the Gujarat Assembly election in December. However, it did improve its tally from 60 seats in the 2012 Assembly elections to 77. After the election results, there was high demand for a change in party leadership. However, Solanki resigned only after he was denied a ticket to Rajya Sabha, reported The Economic Times.
A senior party member, who did not want to be identified, told The Economic Times that Chavda’s appointment indicates Congress President Rahul Gandhi wants to set up his own team. Chavda, the MLA from Ankalav, is popular among the Thakor Kshatriya communities.
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