Ahmedabad has been an important administrative base since the 11th century. The city was the capital of Gujarat state from 1960 to 1970. The capital was however shifted to Gandhinagar. Ahmedabad played an important role in the Indian struggle for independence. Hence the political importance of Ahmedabad can not be ignored.

Today Ahmedabad has grown as one of the most industrialized cities of the state of Gujarat. The city has earned its name as “the Manchester of the East” due to its thriving textile industries. Its active participation in the state as well as the national politics has been overemphasized. Ahmedabad elects one member to the Lok Sabha and seven to the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha. Two main political parties participate in the national elections — the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress.