Is Kejriwal's Celebration Over Gujarat Bypoll Win Excessive Enthusiasm?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- AAP retained the Visavadar seat, marking a significant political achievement.
- BJP's historical performance in the region has raised questions about its dominance.
- Gopal Italia's victory signifies AAP's relevance in Gujarat.
- Political dynamics in Gujarat remain competitive.
- Voter sentiments are shifting, as seen in recent election results.
New Delhi, June 23 (NationPress) BJP leader Amit Malviya characterized the celebrations initiated by AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal following the retention of the Visavadar Assembly seat in Gujarat bypoll as ‘excessive enthusiasm’.
Malviya dismissed the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) self-congratulations regarding the seat retention in the by-election, emphasizing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) historical lack of success in that region.
“The celebrations by Arvind Kejriwal after AAP managed to maintain the Visavadar Assembly seat reflect excessive enthusiasm over a trivial achievement. The BJP has not secured this seat in the last three elections,” stated Malviya, who oversees the BJP’s National Information and Technology Department, on X.
The BJP leader further minimized AAP’s claims about their by-election victory in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sharing insights on the previous three elections, where the BJP failed to secure any wins in the Visavadar seat.
Malviya detailed on X: “Here are the results from the last three Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections - 2022: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai Bhayani won the seat. 2017: Indian National Congress (INC) – Harshadkumar Madhavajibhai Ribadiya emerged victorious. 2012: Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) – The late former Chief Minister Keshubhai Savdasbhai Patel won from this seat. Therefore, in summary: AAP in 2022, Congress in 2017, and GPP in 2012.”
In Gujarat, the BJP and AAP shared the honors, demonstrating the ruling party’s enduring dominance alongside the opposition’s ability to create disruption.
BJP’s Rajendrakumar Chavda achieved a significant victory in the Kadi (SC) constituency, surpassing Congress’s Rameshbhai Chavda by over 38,000 votes.
This outcome reaffirms the BJP’s robust organizational framework in Gujarat, where it currently dominates with 161 out of 182 Assembly seats.
However, AAP’s Gopal Italia reclaimed the Visavadar seat – previously lost to the BJP due to a defection – by defeating Kirit Patel with a margin exceeding 17,000 votes.
Italia’s return to the Assembly not only reinstates AAP's legislative presence in the state but also signifies the party’s sustained relevance in the political landscape of Gujarat, especially in Saurashtra, where it had made modest gains during the 2022 Assembly elections.