AAP Gujarat chief Isudan Gadhvi calls BJP allegations against MLA Chaitar Vasava as politically driven

Aam Aadmi Party Gujarat State President Isudan Gadhvi issued a video statement responding to allegations made by the BJP against Dediapada MLA Chaitar Vasava, describing the accusations as baseless and politically motivated.

In his remarks, Gadhvi said the BJP was resorting to what he described as “low-level politics” due to what he termed the growing popularity of the Aam Aadmi Party and its leaders. Referring specifically to Chaitar Vasava, he claimed that the MLA’s influence had expanded across tribal regions of Gujarat.

He alleged that during occasions when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chaitar Vasava held programmes on the same day in different locations, larger crowds attended Vasava’s meetings, while attendance at the Prime Minister’s rallies required organised transportation.

Gadhvi stated that Vasava is regarded as a prominent voice of the tribal community and claimed that this was the reason he was being targeted. He referred to allegations of ₹75 lakh extortion levelled against the MLA and said that when Vasava met the district collector, the collector stated that the allegation was false. Questioning the intent behind the accusation, Gadhvi said the BJP had repeatedly attempted to undermine the Aam Aadmi Party’s rising profile.

He further alleged that the BJP had earlier tried to persuade AAP leaders to switch parties, and when such efforts failed, inducements and pressure tactics were used. According to him, when those methods did not work, attempts were made to defame AAP leaders through allegations.

Referring to his own past experience, Gadhvi said, “Earlier, BJP had also made extremely cheap allegations against me, claiming that I had consumed alcohol and indulged in molestation. I have never consumed alcohol in my life, nor do I even touch it. I run a de-addiction campaign.” He recalled an incident at Kamalam where, according to him, a false complaint was filed alleging alcohol consumption and molestation, calling it an example of the level of politics being practised.

Gadhvi also mentioned an incident in which shoes were allegedly hurled at AAP leader Gopal Italia, claiming Congress-backed elements were involved. He said such actions were alienating even long-time BJP workers, particularly those associated with the party during the era of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

In the latter part of his statement, Gadhvi accused the BJP government of presiding over rising inflation, liquor-related issues, murders, loot, and rape cases in Gujarat. He said justice was not being delivered and claimed that even families of BJP workers were affected. He asserted that Chaitar Vasava’s increasing support among farmers had resulted in extortion allegations being made against him.

Referring to a BJP MP’s statement about resignation, Gadhvi said, “A true tribal does not go around issuing threats—if one has integrity, one resigns quietly.” He described the situation as an internal political drama.

He also mentioned the arrests of farmer leaders Raju Karpada and Pravin Ram, stating that they were jailed for raising farmers’ issues. Emphasising his party’s stance, Gadhvi said, “If we really wanted to extort money, we would have had countless opportunities earlier. But we believe in the principle of karma. We do not want to loot the public; we want to protect them from BJP’s looting.”

Concluding his statement, Gadhvi appealed to the public, particularly youth, to use social media to express their views, alleging that people were paid to create favourable videos for the BJP and that media outlets faced pressure. He said the Aam Aadmi Party would continue its political struggle in Gujarat and called on citizens to participate actively.