Ahmedabad, Oct. 1 -- The Congress has opened channels with former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela, 86, for his possible return to the party, nearly a decade after his exit triggered a series of defections from the Gujarat Congress ahead of the 2017 Assembly election.

Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda said discussions are underway with Vaghela and that the party would take next steps after talks with its leadership. A meeting between Vaghela and Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, is also expected before a decision is taken.

Vaghela's dramatic departure from the Congress in July 2017 following differences with the party leadership came right ahead of the high-stakes Rajya Sabha poll in August, in which late Congress...