AAP cites official data to criticise BJP governance in Gujarat

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Gujarat State General Secretary Sagar Rabari on Tuesday cited government and NITI Aayog data to raise concerns over drinking water access, economic indicators and governance in the state, while sharply criticising the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Addressing a press conference, Rabari said a recent report by the Water Resources Department showed that 57 per cent of households in Gujarat do not have access to clean drinking water, adding that the state ranks 30th nationally in terms of water quality and supply.

He also referred to the state’s financial position, stating that Gujarat’s debt has crossed Rs 4 lakh crore. Rabari questioned the outcomes of the BJP-led government’s investment initiatives, including the Vibrant Gujarat Summits.

According to him, despite multiple editions of the summit, Gujarat has not ranked higher than third in foreign direct investment (FDI) and does not feature among the top five states in the current financial year.

Rabari alleged that the government’s move to hold Vibrant events at the district level would increase expenditure without delivering tangible investment outcomes. He further claimed that Gujarat ranks 31st in malnutrition, 10th in per capita income, 12th in farmers’ income, and 18th in education quality, citing NITI Aayog data.

“These are the gifts that the people of Gujarat have received during BJP’s 32 years of rule,” Rabari said, adding that the AAP would take these figures to the public to highlight what it describes as the current situation and future prospects of the state.

The AAP leader also levelled allegations of corruption against the BJP, claiming that corruption has become deeply entrenched during its rule. Referring to administrative actions, Rabari said that four district collectors have been suspended on corruption charges in the last three years, including the recent suspension of the Surendranagar collector, where the alleged amount involved runs into crores of rupees.

“We can clearly say that no collector would dare to commit such massive corruption without the blessings of Kamalam,” Rabari alleged. He further criticised the implementation of schemes such as Nal Se Jal, check dam projects, bridge construction, MNREGA, and toilet construction, claiming that funds were misused and outcomes failed to reach intended beneficiaries.

“When Gujarat ranks 30th in water quality, 31st in malnutrition, 10th in per capita income, and 18th in education, I clearly state that if there is even a trace of shame left in the BJP and the Prime Minister, they should stop organizing Vibrant extravaganzas district by district,” Rabari said, alleging that the events had not translated into meaningful foreign investment.

He also claimed that unemployment and crime were rising in the state due to a lack of new investment and alleged governance failures, and said the BJP should “honestly accept that it does not know how to govern and should candidly resign.”

The BJP has not issued a response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.