The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Gujarat organised a ‘Parivartan Sabha’ in Vapi, aimed at mobilising support ahead of local body elections and highlighting civic, environmental and labour-related concerns in the region.
The party claimed that several leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress joined AAP during the event.
Senior AAP leaders present at the gathering included State President Isudan Gadhvi, MLAs Gopal Italia and Chaitar Vasava, State Organisation General Secretary Manoj Sorathiya, South Zone in-charge Rambhai Dhaduk, Valsad Lok Sabha in-charge Rajivbhai Pande, and district president Jitendra Sharma, along with local office-bearers and party workers. A large number of local residents also attended the meeting.
Addressing the gathering, Isudan Gadhvi referred to his earlier work as a journalist covering tribal regions of south Gujarat and neighbouring areas. He raised concerns over pollution levels in Vapi, claiming that air and water pollution had worsened over the years.
Gadhvi also criticised infrastructure development in the region, alleging delays in completion of projects such as bridges, and claimed that residents were deprived of quality government schools, hospitals and basic civic amenities.
He further alleged that industrial pollution was affecting public health and urged residents to raise their voices on these issues.
Speaking to the media after the event, AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava said the party had received multiple representations from workers alleging denial of basic labour rights, including salary slips, provident fund, gratuity, bonuses, overtime wages and mediclaim facilities.
He also raised concerns over the proposed inclusion of Nayakwada and 11 other villages into the Vapi Municipal Corporation, alleging violations of constitutional provisions under the Fifth Schedule and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA).
Vasava claimed that the expansion could affect political reservations and land rights in tribal areas. He also rejected claims by BJP leaders that large numbers of AAP workers had joined the ruling party, calling such assertions misleading.
AAP MLA Gopal Italia, while addressing the gathering, criticised the functioning of the state administration, alleging that governance mechanisms were being used to suppress public grievances. He raised issues related to illegal liquor trade and infrastructure development, and accused the ruling establishment of prioritising political interests over public welfare. Italia stated that AAP aimed to represent workers, farmers, students and marginalised sections and called upon voters to support the party in upcoming elections.
State Organisation General Secretary Manoj Sorathiya, in his address, questioned the outcomes of three decades of BJP rule in Gujarat, citing issues related to roads, drinking water and public infrastructure.
Referring to reports on the growth of assets of elected representatives, he said such data raised questions about governance and accountability. Sorathiya described local body elections as an important political milestone and said AAP was positioning itself as an alternative political force in the state.
The Parivartan Sabha concluded with party leaders appealing to residents to participate actively in local self-government elections and raise issues related to governance, environment and livelihoods.