AAP holds booth workers’ convention in Vadodara, focuses on Gujarat outreach

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a booth workers’ convention in Vadodara, attended by National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with senior state and district leaders.

The event comes as AAP seeks to expand its presence in Gujarat, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power for the past three decades.

Senior leaders present included AAP Gujarat in-charge Gopal Rai, co-in-charge Durgesh Pathak, state president Isudan Gadhvi, MLAs Gopal Italia and Chaitar Vasava, state general secretary Manoj Sorathia, Sagar Rabari, Rajubhai Solanki, Brijraj Solanki, Vadodara Lok Sabha in-charge Viren Rami, Vadodara city president and East Zone in-charge Ashok Oza, Chhota Udepur district president Radhika Rathwa, and Narmada district president Niranjan Vasava. According to AAP Gujarat, the convention drew a large turnout of booth-level workers and local supporters.

Addressing the gathering, Kejriwal highlighted issues affecting farmers, youth, and public services in the state. He claimed that farmers faced difficulties in accessing fertilizers, seeds, irrigation, and fair prices for crops. He said government schools and hospitals were inadequately maintained, forcing residents to rely on private institutions.

“Private schools are indulging in hooliganism, they are carrying out loot. Why do they loot the poor? They have eaten up your family’s government hospitals. If you go to a government hospital, there are no medicines, no tests, no doctors,” Kejriwal said, according to the party statement.

He also referenced the Harni boat tragedy in Vadodara, in which 12 children and two teachers drowned due to lack of safety jackets. Kejriwal stated that two years after the incident, families of the victims were still seeking justice and faced challenges when approaching authorities.

Kejriwal further alleged misallocation of tribal welfare funds, saying that large sums were spent on political events rather than public services. “From the tribal welfare fund, 50 crore rupees were spent for the Prime Minister’s rally. Samosas worth 2 crores, tents worth 5 crores, buses worth 7 crores—all from the money of tribals. With 50 crores, so many schools and hospitals could have been built,” he said.

The AAP leaders outlined plans to strengthen the party organization through door-to-door campaigns and booth-level teams in preparation for upcoming elections. Kejriwal said the party intends to focus on farmers’ prosperity, youth employment, and improved public services.

Gopal Rai highlighted the party’s ongoing organizational efforts, saying that campaigns had been launched at district and village levels, and that a structured framework had been established at taluka and district levels. He urged members to continue door-to-door campaigns to further strengthen the organization.

State president Isudan Gadhvi addressed the gathering on political and administrative issues, including alleged misuse of police and administrative powers. He claimed that some AAP workers had faced legal challenges in false cases and encouraged members to remain committed to the party’s work. Gadhvi also criticized the state administration, claiming that public resources had been mismanaged and basic services, including agriculture and roads, had suffered under the long-standing BJP government.

Chaitar Vasava, MLA from Dediapada, said the party would continue advocating for workers’ rights, including proper wages, bonuses, and benefits. Visavadar MLA Gopal Italia added that the party’s outreach had helped raise awareness among citizens, and that leaders and office-bearers had faced challenges while mobilizing public participation.

Leaders also referred to the political scenario in Gujarat, noting that the BJP has been in power for the last 30 years, and claimed that organizational and grassroots expansion by AAP aims to provide citizens with greater engagement ahead of taluka panchayat, district panchayat, municipality, and municipal corporation elections.

The convention concluded with a call to consolidate the party’s structure at booth, taluka, and district levels, and to continue public outreach across Vadodara and surrounding districts.