Gujarat: AAP to skip bypoll; party chief challenges Cong to take on BJP in direct contest

Ahmedabad, April 7 Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Gujarat unit president Isudan Gadhvi on Tuesday said the party will not contest the Umreth by-election and will instead concentrate fully on the upcoming local body elections.

He further challenged the Congress to directly take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Speaking to IANS, Gadhvi said, “We will not fight the Umreth by-poll. We want to focus on local body elections only. We want to see a direct contest between the BJP and Congress, as Congress claims that we are the B-team of the BJP. Now defeat the BJP if you can.”

At a press conference held in Ahmedabad, he said AAP’s campaign has led to “panic” within the BJP, alleging that its candidates are unable to engage with voters.

“BJP is no longer in a position to go among the people. Their leaders are being driven away when they go for campaigning,” he said, adding that AAP has emerged as “a centre of hope and trust” for the public.

Gadhvi expressed confidence that AAP would secure the mayor's post in Surat, stating that the party has worked on public issues during its five years in the opposition.

He announced that Manoj Sorathiya will be the party’s main face in Surat.

“AAP’s fighting leader Manoj Sorathiya will contest as the face of the people of Surat,” he said, adding that the decision was taken after internal discussions and guidance from senior leadership, including national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

Alleging misuse of state machinery, Gadhvi said, “It feels like not BJP but the police are contesting elections against AAP.”

He claimed that party workers and candidates are being intimidated, false FIRs are being registered, and efforts are being made to force candidates to withdraw.

“Attempts are being made to intimidate and force our candidates to withdraw… We also suspect conspiracies to cancel AAP candidates’ nominations,” he said, adding that the party has received such information from sources.

He further alleged that “attempts are being made to jail all party leaders, including the state president”, and that workers from ordinary backgrounds are being pressured through threats and false cases.

Referring to an incident in Vadodara, he said a candidate named Kantaben withdrew under “unknown circumstances”, raising suspicion of pressure, though he said there was no proof.

Gadhvi also alleged a tacit understanding between the BJP and the Congress.

“BJP is interested in strengthening Congress because it is easy to defeat them. Where Congress does not get candidates, the BJP is providing candidates,” he said, questioning why similar legal action is not taken against Congress leaders.

On remarks attributed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Gadhvi alleged that Gujaratis had been insulted, saying such "statements were inappropriate and highlighted the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel".

Meanwhile, Sorathiya thanked the party leadership for the opportunity and said, “AAP will win in Surat and form the Mayor.”

He added, “In the next five years, AAP will make Surat a world-class city. People across communities are uniting behind the party."

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