Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Chaitar Vasava attended the Gujarat Jodo public meeting held at Nanapondha in Valsad district on Sunday, where he addressed a large gathering and later spoke to the media on a range of political, administrative and tribal welfare issues.
Vasava said that thousands of people attended the meeting and claimed that several leaders from Kaprada, including Daskabhai Virubhai and Nitinbhai, along with more than 500 supporters, joined the Aam Aadmi Party. He noted that those joining the party had earlier been associated with the Congress.
Raising concerns related to development projects in tribal areas, the AAP MLA alleged that projects such as National Highway 56, corridor developments and high-tension power line installations were implemented without the consent of Gram Sabhas. He claimed that displaced families did not receive land in exchange for land, nor were they provided irrigation water or free electricity. Vasava also alleged that unemployment remained a major issue in the region and that local youth were being made to work long hours.
Vasava said the Aam Aadmi Party plans to contest upcoming taluka panchayat and district panchayat elections independently. He claimed that AAP has strengthened its presence in tribal regions from Ambaji to Umargam.
Criticising governance in the state, Vasava alleged that decision-making power in Gujarat was concentrated outside the state and with certain officials, resulting in unresolved local issues. He asserted that AAP would form the government in Gujarat in 2027 and said the party would then implement the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, and approve pending tribal claims.
Referring to allegations made against him by a BJP MP, Vasava claimed that the district Collector had publicly stated the allegations were baseless. He further alleged that pressure was later exerted on the Collector. Vasava said he was being targeted as an opposition MLA over minor matters.
He also alleged that ₹50 crore spent on a Prime Minister’s programme was taken from the Tribal Development Fund. On this basis, Vasava said his party has demanded a CID inquiry to investigate the expenditure and recover the funds if irregularities are found.
Addressing the gathering, Vasava criticised the BJP’s long tenure in the region, stating that despite decades of electoral victories at various levels, tribal issues remained unresolved. He alleged that projects were approved without respecting constitutional provisions, even when Gram Sabhas opposed them.
Vasava also accused ruling party leaders of creating divisions on religious lines and called for a focus on education, employment and basic amenities. He emphasised the importance of tribal identity, culture and constitutional rights over land, forests and water.
On the issue of police recruitment, Vasava objected to the government’s requirement of a minimum of 40% marks for candidates from tribal communities, alleging that it effectively excluded many candidates from reservation benefits. He claimed this violated constitutional provisions related to reservation.
He warned that if tribal reservation was diluted, protests would be held during the upcoming budget session of the Gujarat Assembly. Vasava also stated that if educational reservation was abolished, his party was prepared to approach the Election Commission to seek a review of political reservation for tribal constituencies.
The Gujarat government and the BJP have not responded to the allegations made by the AAP MLA at the time of filing this report.