AAP holds Vijay Vishwas Sabha in Gujarat ahead of local polls

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a ‘Vijay Vishwas Sabha’ in Amreli, Gujarat on Wednesday, where senior leaders, including National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressed a gathering ahead of the upcoming local body elections in the state.

Several party leaders, including Gopal Rai, Isudan Gadhvi and Gopal Italia, were also present. The party said the event saw participation from farmers, labourers, youth and women from across the region.

Addressing the rally, Arvind Kejriwal referred to the cultural and religious importance of the Saurashtra region and said he had come to seek public support. He raised questions over the performance of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat, alleging issues related to infrastructure, governance and corruption. He cited incidents such as bridge collapses and road conditions, and claimed that some farmers had not received compensation announced by the government. He also alleged that people face difficulties in accessing basic services without paying bribes.

Kejriwal urged voters to consider an alternative, stating that people should vote for themselves and support a government that prioritises public welfare. He also referred to governance initiatives in Punjab, including free electricity for farmers, improved irrigation coverage and health insurance schemes, suggesting that similar measures could be implemented in Gujarat.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also addressed the gathering and spoke about welfare measures introduced in his state, including financial assistance for women and healthcare benefits. He criticised both the BJP and the Congress, alleging that key public issues have remained unresolved over the years, and urged voters to focus on development-related concerns.

During the event, state leaders highlighted local issues. Isudan Gadhvi raised concerns regarding minimum support price (MSP) procurement and alleged inconsistencies in crop purchases, particularly groundnut. Gopal Italia spoke about administrative challenges faced by citizens, including delays in basic services and lack of infrastructure in rural areas, while also referring to issues such as crop insurance and farmers’ access to facilities. Manoj Sorathiya highlighted concerns related to unemployment, women’s safety and governance, and called for greater public participation in the electoral process.

AAP leaders described the upcoming taluka and district panchayat elections as significant for the party’s growth in Gujarat and appealed to voters to support its candidates. The rally forms part of AAP’s ongoing efforts to expand its presence in the state, where the BJP has been in power for several years, while the Congress continues to be the principal opposition.