In Gujarat’s Botad district, tensions between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the state government have escalated after the detention of AAP Farmers’ Cell president, Raju Karpada. The incident unfolded late Friday night when Karpada was taken into custody by local police during a sit-in protest at the Botad Marketing Yard. The protest was sparked by complaints from farmers who claimed that they were being denied fair prices for their cotton produce, with rates allegedly dropping from ₹1,300 to ₹1,150 per 20 kg. The justification given by buyers was that the crop was “wet,” a claim that farmers dismissed as an excuse for exploitation.
In solidarity with the farmers, Karpada had arrived at the marketing yard to demand better rates and accountability from the management. When his conditions were ignored, he decided to stage a peaceful demonstration inside the yard. However, as the night progressed, police intervened and detained Karpada, dispersing the gathered farmers and instructing them to return home. The detention quickly turned into a flashpoint, with AAP leaders accusing the ruling BJP of attempting to silence dissent and suppress farmers’ demands.
AAP Gujarat State President Ishudan Gadhvi condemned the police action, calling it a politically motivated move orchestrated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s government. “When our Farmers’ Cell president fought for the farmers’ right to fair prices, hundreds of police arrived at 3 am on the Chief Minister’s orders to arrest him,” Gadhvi said. He accused the BJP of colluding with market yard officials to “loot” farmers and using the police as a tool of intimidation.
In response, AAP has announced a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Botad on Sunday evening to protest against what it terms the government’s “anti-farmer” policies. Gadhvi warned that the party would defy any restrictions, including Section 144, if imposed. “We are not afraid of arrests or police barricades. If needed, we will take this movement to every marketing yard across Gujarat,” he declared. He also mentioned that AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal might join the movement in solidarity with Gujarat’s farmers.
Taking a sharp jab at Gujarat’s Director General of Police, Gadhvi accused him of political bias, saying, “Everyone knows you got an extension with BJP’s blessings. You swore an oath to serve the Constitution, not a political party.” He appealed to police personnel, many of whom hail from farming backgrounds, to empathize with the protestors. “Your families are farmers too. The BJP is exploiting you as much as it exploits them,” he said.
The AAP leader also criticized the state government for focusing on self-promotion rather than addressing the agricultural crisis. “While farmers are struggling for survival, the BJP government is busy celebrating ‘Vikas Week,’” Gadhvi remarked. “This arrogance will cost them dearly. The people of Gujarat taught Congress a lesson once, and now it’s BJP’s turn.”
As the Kisan Mahapanchayat approaches, it is being seen as more than just a farmers’ protest — it marks AAP’s attempt to strengthen its foothold in Gujarat by positioning itself as the voice of the agrarian community. Political analysts view this event as a key moment that could reshape rural sentiments ahead of future state elections. With 5.4 million farmers in Gujarat forming a significant voter base, AAP’s campaign is set to test the BJP’s grip on the state’s agricultural heartland.
