Arvind Kejriwal, the convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), made an announcement on Sunday regarding the party's candidate for the Bharuch seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Despite being in jail, Gujarat's Dediapada MLA Chaitar Vasava has been chosen by Kejriwal as the AAP's candidate for the Bharuch Lok Sabha seat. This declaration was made during a rally in the tribal-dominated Netrang region of Bharuch, where Kejriwal, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressed the crowd. Kejriwal asserted that Vasava, who was arrested last month, is being incarcerated because he was actively advocating for the rights of the tribal community.
Speaking at the rally, Kejriwal criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been in power in Gujarat for three decades, accusing it of consistently neglecting the Adivasi community. He claimed that Vasava's arrest was a consequence of his outspokenness against the BJP's failure to address the concerns of the tribal community. Kejriwal further expressed concerns about the future of the tribal community under the BJP's rule, predicting devastating consequences if the party continues its governance for another three decades.
Kejriwal emphasized that the ongoing struggle is not just for Chaitar Vasava but also for the dignity and rights of the entire Adivasi community. He announced plans to visit Vasava in Rajpipla jail, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other AAP leaders, on the following day.
Chaitra Vasava, who had been evading authorities for nearly a month, surrendered on December 14, 2023, leading to his arrest. The charges against him include allegedly threatening forest officers and firing shots in the air during a dispute related to the cultivation of forest land by local tribals in the Narmada district. Vasava's wife was also arrested in connection with the case.
Kejriwal asserted that Vasava was enticed with offers of crores of rupees and a ministerial post by the BJP, which he rejected as a betrayal of his own community. Kejriwal accused the BJP of attempting to suppress Vasava due to fear, sending a message to the community that dissent would be crushed.
Responding to Kejriwal's statements, Gujarat BJP spokesperson Yamal Vyas dismissed AAP's relevance in Gujarat and questioned Kejriwal's avoidance of addressing corruption charges against himself. Vyas also raised concerns about the AAP's status in alliances and the declaration of Vasava as a candidate without consultation with other political blocs.
