Isudan Gadhvi alleges intimidation and legal pressure on AAP candidates ahead of Gujarat local polls

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Gujarat president Isudan Gadhvi on Tuesday alleged that party candidates and workers are facing intimidation and legal pressure ahead of the upcoming local self-government elections, even as he announced Manoj Sorathiya as the party’s key face for the Surat civic polls.

Addressing a press conference, Gadhvi claimed that the party’s growing electoral presence has created “panic” among the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He alleged that BJP candidates are facing resistance from voters and, as a result, attempts are being made to target AAP leaders through police action and legal cases.

According to him, AAP has received inputs suggesting that FIRs are being filed against several of its candidates and efforts are underway to get nominations cancelled.

Gadhvi further alleged that party workers across the state are being pressured and threatened, and in some cases, attempts are being made to implicate them in false cases. He said the party would continue its campaign undeterred and asserted that AAP would remain “the voice of the people” despite such challenges.

Highlighting the party’s strategy for Surat, Gadhvi said AAP has decided to project Manoj Sorathiya as its main face for the mayoral race. He added that the party, which has been in the opposition in Surat for the past five years, has worked on several public issues and is receiving positive feedback from voters.

On electoral strategy, Gadhvi also announced that AAP will not contest the Amreli by-election, stating that the party’s current focus is on local body polls.

The AAP leader also raised questions over what he described as a “difference in treatment” between AAP and Congress leaders, alleging that similar cases are not being registered against Congress functionaries.

He suggested there could be an understanding between the BJP and Congress, though he did not provide evidence and called for media scrutiny into the matter.

Referring to an incident in Vadodara, Gadhvi mentioned that a party candidate, identified as Kantaben, withdrew her nomination after initially filing it. He expressed suspicion of possible pressure behind the decision but said there was no concrete proof.

Separately, Gadhvi criticised reported remarks attributed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge about Gujaratis during a recent campaign, calling them “insulting”.

He cited contributions of prominent Gujarati figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to underline the state’s legacy, and said any derogatory remarks against Gujaratis were inappropriate.

Gadhvi also criticised the BJP, alleging that the party has “disappointed” people over time, and appealed to voters to make their choice carefully in the upcoming elections.