Raju Karpada Joins BJP, Nominated for Surendranagar Local Polls
Synopsis
In a swift political move, Raju Karpada, a prominent farmer leader, has been nominated by the BJP for the Muli-2 seat of the Surendranagar District Panchayat just after joining the party. His induction signals an intensifying political landscape ahead of local elections.
Key Takeaways
Raju Karpada has joined the BJP and is now the candidate for Muli-2.
His induction comes just after leaving the AAP .
The BJP is ramping up candidate announcements ahead of local elections.
Karpada previously led an agitation against controversial practices.
The political scene is heating up in Gujarat with various local body elections approaching.
Surendranagar/Gandhinagar, April 10 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially announced farmer leader Raju Karpada as its candidate for the Muli-2 seat on the Surendranagar District Panchayat. This announcement came just one day after his formal entry into the party.
This decision is expected to ramp up political dynamics ahead of the upcoming local self-government elections.
Karpada, a dynamic farmer leader hailing from the Saurashtra region, previously served as an office-bearer in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s farmer wing in Gujarat. He officially joined the BJP on Thursday after parting ways with the AAP earlier this year.
Upon his induction, he expressed that his primary motivation was to work “more effectively for the welfare of farmers in the state.”
The party quickly followed up by announcing his candidacy for the Muli-2 constituency, presenting him as a fresh face for the district panchayat elections.
This rapid decision sparked lively discussions within political circles in Surendranagar, with enthusiastic responses from party workers regarding his nomination.
Karpada gained recognition last year for spearheading an agitation in Botad against the controversial ‘Kadada practice,’ which led to his arrest.
After being released, he distanced himself from the AAP prior to joining the BJP.
The BJP has accelerated the pace of candidate announcements throughout Gujarat in recent days, aiming to solidify its presence in local governance.
Just a day before Karpada’s candidacy was revealed, the party also declared candidates for 52 seats across 13 wards of the Surendranagar Municipal Corporation.
In a related development, Manoj Ninama, a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, also joined the BJP on Thursday and was nominated from the Odh district panchayat seat in Shamlaji taluka of Aravalli district.
Ninama, who previously served as Inspector General of Police in the traffic branch in Gandhinagar, opted for voluntary retirement just before his scheduled retirement.
He is originally from the Aravalli district in North Gujarat and joined the BJP at Shamlaji in the same region.
His political debut, together with Karpada’s induction, occurs in a context of heightened political engagement in the state, ahead of elections for various local bodies, including municipal corporations, district panchayats, and taluka panchayats slated for later this month.
Point of View
This move could significantly impact local governance dynamics as elections approach.
NationPress
3 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Raju Karpada?
Raju Karpada is a farmer leader from the Saurashtra region of Gujarat who recently joined the BJP after leaving the AAP.
What position has Karpada been nominated for?
He has been nominated as the BJP candidate for the Muli-2 seat of the Surendranagar District Panchayat.
Why did Karpada join the BJP?
Karpada stated his decision to join the BJP was driven by his desire to work more effectively for the welfare of farmers in Gujarat.
What political events are approaching in Gujarat?
Local body elections, including those for municipal corporations and panchayats, are scheduled for later this month.
What prior activism is Karpada known for?
He gained prominence for leading an agitation against the 'Kadada practice' in Botad, which resulted in his arrest last year.
