Political Activities
Gholamreza Takhti’s resentment of the Pahlavi dynasty dated back to his teenage years. His father, who owned a natural ice cream parlor, faced a devastating turn of events when Reza Shah’s urban development schemes forced him to sell the business to the government for a pittance. This incident bankrupted the family, leaving them homeless and forced to sleep in the alley for two nights. The emotional and financial toll of this event weighed heavily on Takhti, especially as it led to his father’s declining health and eventual death. This bitter episode planted a deep-seated animosity toward the Pahlavi regime in Takhti’s mind.
Takhti’s political engagement began in 1955 when he joined the Iranian People’s Workers’ Party led by Khalil Maleki and Mozaffar Baghaei. Following a split between Maleki and Mohammad Ali Khunji, Takhti sided with Khunji and Hejazi, aligning himself with the Third Force Party. As the political landscape evolved, he became an active member of the Socialist Party, where he was elected Deputy Secretary-General and contributed to the Party’s Sports Organization alongside Hassan Khorramshahi.
After the 1953 coup (19 Mordad), Takhti joined the National Resistance Movement’s Athletes’ Committee, continuing his activism within the Socialist Party. When the Second National Front was established in 1959, he became a prominent member, serving on the Central Council of the National Front of Iran. His deep involvement in the National Front included leading the Athletes’ Organization and participating in significant political events, such as rallies and demonstrations. Notably, Takhti held a large portrait of Mohammad Mossadegh as he led a convoy to Ahmadabad to honor the former Prime Minister.