Gujarat By-Election: Kejriwal Dares BJP, Pledges to Quit Politics if Gopal Italia is ‘Bought’

VISAVADAR, GUJARAT –  In a thunderous challenge that has sent shockwaves through Gujarat’s political landscape, former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal declared unequivocally today that he would quit politics if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) succeeded in “buying” AAP candidate Gopal Italia in the upcoming Visavadar by-election. The dramatic pronouncement came as Italia filed his nomination papers for the crucial June 19 contest, setting the stage for an electrifying battle for the Visavadar assembly seat.

“The BJP warns you that whoever you choose, they will buy the candidate,” Kejriwal thundered to a massive public gathering in Visavadar, moments before Italia’s nomination. “But today, I have come to challenge BJP. This time, we have put our hero in front of you. I challenge BJP that if you are successful in buying Gopal Italia, then Kejriwal will quit politics.”

The by-elections for the vacant Visavadar and Kadi assembly seats are scheduled for June 19, with vote counting slated for June 23. The AAP’s election office in Visavadar was inaugurated in the presence of Kejriwal, followed by Italia’s spirited Jan Ashirwad Yatra and the subsequent filing of his nomination. In a last-minute twist, Shankarsinh Vaghela’s Democratic Party also changed its candidate, fielding Kishore Kankad in place of Lalji Kotadiya, who had initially filed his nomination.

Kejriwal minced no words in his scathing critique of the BJP’s alleged tactics and the Congress party’s role in Gujarat. “For 18 years, you have not allowed BJP to enter Visavadar,” he reminded the crowd during Italia’s Jan Ashirwad Yatra. “There is its government in Gujarat, but there is no BJP government in Visavadar. First, you voted for Congress and then supported us, but BJP played a trick and first bought Congress’ Harshad Ribadia and then also bought our infamous Bhutap Bhayani. Now you have to answer again.”

The AAP chief further accused the Congress of being in cahoots with the BJP. “Like BJP, Congress is also number one cunning. It serves BJP only, Congress is sitting in BJP’s pocket,” Kejriwal asserted. He recalled the 2022 elections when five Congress MLAs joined the BJP, including one from AAP, and how the Congress had requested AAP not to field candidates in such constituencies. “We did not field our candidate out of respect for them, because we had to defeat the BJP,” he stated.

However, for the Visavadar by-election, Kejriwal revealed a different approach. “We had told Congress for this time’s Visavadar by-election that you should not field a candidate in Visavadar, but Congress, sitting in the lap of BJP, did not accept, so this time you have to give a befitting reply to both Congress and BJP,” he declared, framing the election as a direct battle against both traditional parties.

Highlighting Italia’s commitment, Kejriwal added, “Our Gopal is not afraid of anyone, he will always fight for you. Gopal will fight for the whole of Gujarat, not for Visavdar.” He urged the electorate to ensure Italia’s victory, emphasizing that Italia would champion the cause of farmers and other crucial issues in the assembly. “Gopal will defeat BJP for your issues. He will go to the assembly and raise the issues of farmers. I am seeing your enthusiasm, you are standing to support Gopalbhai even in this heat.”

Gopal Italia, riding on the wave of support, echoed Kejriwal’s sentiments. “The people of Visavadar have to do the work of shaking the foundations of fear, hunger, and corruption of the BJP government in Gujarat for the last 40 years,” Italia stated. “I am seeing the enthusiasm on your face, I am fully confident that you will give a befitting reply to the BJP by making me win.”

After filing his nomination, Italia invoked the legacy of former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel. “There was no rule of goons during Keshu Bapa’s rule, he has always worked for the farmers, but this BJP has not built even a school in his name. I have installed a statue of Keshu Bapa in my office. I will serve the people by following the path of Keshu Bapa.”

The AAP’s show of strength in Visavadar was considerable, with Kejriwal joined by prominent party figures including Atishi, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Isudan Gadhvi, Chaitar Vasava, Durgesh Pathak, Gulab Singh Jadhav, and Manoj Sorathia.

While the AAP and Democratic Party have put forth their candidates, both BJP and Congress are yet to announce their nominees for the Visavadar by-election. Congress sources indicated an announcement tomorrow, while discussions are reportedly ongoing at the state level within the BJP for candidate selection.