Only woman in Gujarat Congress list of district chiefs: ‘Was expecting more women … told Rahul Gandhi you do only lip service’
Ahmedabad, June 2025 — The Gujarat Congress faces criticism from within. The only woman appointed among the new district Congress presidents has accused the party of “lip service” on women’s representation. Her comments highlight the growing gap between promises and actions in the party’s leadership structure.
Rahul Gandhi’s Pledge vs Party Reality
Rahul Gandhi has promised increased women’s participation in politics. He recently said Congress aims for 50% women leaders, including future chief ministers, within a decade.
Despite this, the Gujarat list tells a different story. Out of over 30 district Congress presidents, only one is a woman.
“I expected more women to be included,” she said. “I told Rahul Gandhi directly — you only do lip service when it comes to women.”
The Lone Woman Leader Speaks Out
The woman district chief, a Congress worker for over 20 years, expressed her disappointment. She said many deserving women were overlooked despite their dedication.
“I walked in padyatras, built the Mahila Congress from scratch in my area, and stood firm in difficult times. Still, only one woman made the list. That hurts,” she explained.
She called on the leadership to back up its talk with real appointments and meaningful action.
Trouble in the Gujarat Congress Ranks
The Congress party in Gujarat is trying to rebuild. The BJP continues to dominate, and Congress faces internal challenges. During a visit to Ahmedabad in March 2025, Rahul Gandhi criticized Gujarat leaders for being inactive and alleged that half of them worked secretly for the BJP.
He announced plans to restructure the state unit. But the new list has raised more questions than it answered.
Many believe the party missed a major opportunity. Instead of elevating committed women, it returned to the old pattern of male-heavy leadership.
Gender Equality or Just a Slogan?
The debate isn’t limited to Gujarat. Across India, political parties often promise gender equality but fail to act. Women leaders remain underrepresented, even at the local level.
India’s new Women’s Reservation Bill mandates 33% representation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. Yet, internal party roles like district presidents or general secretaries remain dominated by men.
“Appointing one woman isn’t progress — it’s tokenism,” said Dr. Meera Patel, a Vadodara-based political analyst. “Real inclusion means building pathways for women to rise within party ranks.”
Ground-Level Anger Rising
Congress women in Gujarat are voicing anger behind closed doors. Several Mahila Congress workers have threatened to step back if the leadership doesn’t correct course.
“They use our names during campaigns. But when it comes to leadership roles, women vanish from the lists,” said one senior Mahila Congress worker.
Party insiders say Rahul Gandhi has received feedback and may push for course correction. Some leaders hinted that additional appointments might follow, possibly including more women as co-presidents or working presidents.
Missed Opportunity in a Crucial State
Gujarat remains a key battleground. Congress has failed to win major elections in the state for decades. Rebuilding trust and energizing its base are urgent tasks.
Ignoring grassroots women leaders damages both morale and credibility. Young voters, especially women, look for genuine commitment to equality — not empty promises.
Observers believe the party must act quickly. “This backlash could become a turning point — if Congress learns from it,” said Dr. Patel. “But if it ignores the voices of its own women, it risks deeper decline.”
Can Congress Still Walk the Talk?
Congress has time to recover from this misstep. The leadership can still empower women through additional roles, campaign responsibilities, and ticket distribution for upcoming elections.
The woman district chief’s bold remarks could inspire change — if the party listens. Her direct message to Rahul Gandhi was not just criticism. It was also a challenge: to live up to his own words.
“If you believe in equality,” she said, “show it in action. Don’t reduce women’s leadership to slogans.”
Final Thoughts
The Gujarat Congress list reflects a larger issue within Indian politics: the struggle for real gender equality. While laws and promises create headlines, only consistent action can drive meaningful change.
Congress now stands at a crossroads. Will it listen to its only woman district chief and fix this imbalance? Or will it stay trapped in old habits?
Either way, the coming months will show whether the party is serious about change — or still offering only lip service.
