Kejriwal Calls Bhupendra Patel ‘Dummy CM’ and Harsh Sanghvi ‘Super CM’ at Farmers’ Mahapanchayat

Surendranagar | Gujarat — In a blistering attack on the Gujarat government, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused the state leadership of committing atrocities on farmers and shielding corrupt practices in agriculture markets. Speaking at a massive farmers’ Mahapanchayat in Surendranagar, Kejriwal alleged that farmers in Botad were brutally beaten up on the orders of Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi, who has now been elevated to the post of Deputy Chief Minister — or what Kejriwal called a “Super CM.”

“When the police beat up farmers in Botad on Harsh Sanghvi’s orders, the BJP rewarded him by making him Deputy CM, while Bhupendra Patel was reduced to a ‘dummy CM’ of the Patel community,” Kejriwal declared amid loud cheers from the crowd.

The Mahapanchayat was organized to protest the harsh and exploitative Kaddo system in the Botad marketing yard — a long-standing practice where traders deduct a portion of the farmers’ produce under various pretexts like moisture and wastage. Kejriwal said such practices reflect the deep-rooted corruption that continues to exploit Gujarat’s agrarian community.

“This government is dashing farmers’ hopes”

Drawing a comparison with Punjab, Kejriwal said, “When floods hit Punjab, our government transferred ₹50,000 directly to every affected farmer within a month. But here, the Gujarat government is only conducting surveys and giving false assurances. This government has completely failed to protect the dignity and income of farmers.”

He further alleged that BJP and Congress were “two sides of the same coin,” saying, “Their relationship is like husband and wife. Congress leaders never go to jail, only AAP leaders are targeted.”

“Sardar Patel fought for farmers; BJP beats them”

Invoking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Kejriwal said, “Sardar Patel was the lion of Gujarat who fought non-violently for the farmers. Even the British never ordered lathi charges. But this BJP government beats farmers, throws them in jail, and celebrates Diwali while farmer families cry.”

Kejriwal accused the government of turning a blind eye to police brutality, stating, “When farmers raise their voice, the police enter their homes and beat even the children. This government is more cruel than the British.”

He also expressed solidarity with jailed farmer activists, saying, “We had invited the families of jailed farmers to this event to honor them, but the police did not let them come. I promise every farmer — we will get you justice and release those unjustly imprisoned, even if we have to hire the country’s biggest lawyers.”

Bhagwant Mann joins Kejriwal’s attack

Accompanying Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also launched a scathing critique of the BJP government. “When arrogance grows, a government falls — and BJP’s arrogance in Gujarat has peaked,” he said.

Mann also took a dig at Gujarat’s infrastructure, saying, “We traveled from Rajkot by road today. There are not potholes on the road — the whole road is inside the potholes. If this government can’t fix roads, how will it fix farmers’ lives?”

“BJP will meet the fate of Congress”

Kejriwal warned the BJP that public anger was rising. “Thirty-five years ago, Congress shot farmers and disappeared. BJP is walking the same path. You too will vanish when farmers rise.”

The Surendranagar Mahapanchayat saw participation from thousands of farmers and AAP workers, who raised slogans against the state government’s “anti-farmer policies.”