Ahmedabad: Congress Leader Suresh Patel of Vadodara, Gujarat, has been suspended by the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) for his attendance at an event organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization. The GPCC, in a letter signed by party vice-president Vijay Dave and dated May 9, cited Patel's presence at the RSS function as "improper" and an act of indiscipline.
According to sources, Patel, a senior Congress leader, had attended the inaugural function of the four-day RSS training camp held in Vadodara on May 9. The event was attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Patel had been invited as a guest since the RSS had used a plot owned by him for the camp and he had waived the rental charges.
Confirming the suspension, Rutvij Joshi, the president of the Vadodara City unit of Congress, stated that the GPCC had dispatched the suspension letter to Patel by registered post. Joshi expressed agreement with the decision, emphasizing that Patel should not have participated in the RSS event.
Vijay Dave further mentioned that a show-cause notice had been issued to Rutvij Joshi for appointing Pushpa Vaghela as the "acting president" of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) in Joshi's absence. Dave highlighted that Joshi had not followed the party's prescribed procedure for such appointments and called for an explanation.
The suspension of Suresh Patel is indefina ite for now, according to Dave. The GPCC's decision to suspend Patel reflects its disapproval of his association with the RSS, which is seen as contrary to the principles and values of the Congress party.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions within the Congress party regarding ideological differences and alliances. The Congress has historically been at odds with the RSS due to their differing political ideologies. Patel's suspension serves as a stern message from the party leadership regarding discipline and maintaining a clear distance from organizations perceived as conflicting with the Congress's core principles.