Kejriwal Accuses BJP, Congress of Looting Gujarat Together
Synopsis
AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal on May 25 accused BJP and Congress of jointly looting Gujarat, alleged that tribal leader Chaitar Vasava was jailed for speaking up, and celebrated AAP's win in Narmada district as a decisive verdict by the adivasi community against the ruling BJP.
Key Takeaways
Kejriwal accused BJP and Congress of colluding to loot Gujarat , framing both as complicit in the state's governance failures.
He alleged that the BJP government jails voices like Chaitar Vasava who speak for the people, while sparing Congress leaders.
AAP claimed victory in Narmada district local body elections, describing it as a resounding rebuke of the BJP by the adivasi community.
Narmada district has a large tribal population and has been a focus of AAP's Gujarat expansion strategy since 2017 .
The post continues AAP's established pattern of targeting BJP-Congress 'collusion' to position itself as the sole alternative in BJP-dominated states.
Future Gujarat panchayat and municipal elections will be a key test of whether this tribal-belt momentum can be sustained.
AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday, May 25, 2026, sharply attacked both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress, accusing them of jointly plundering Gujarat while selectively using state power against tribal voices. Kejriwal also claimed that AAP's win in Narmada district local body elections was a decisive rebuke of the ruling party by the adivasi community.
Context
In his post, Kejriwal wrote: 'भाजपा और कांग्रेस मिलकर गुजरात को लूट रहे हैं' ('BJP and Congress are together looting Gujarat'). He specifically called out the BJP government for not jailing Congress leaders while allegedly imprisoning Chaitar Vasava for 'raising the voice of the people.' The post was accompanied by a video and was shared on the evening of May 25.
Chaitar Vasava is a tribal political figure from Gujarat associated with raising adivasi community grievances. Kejriwal's reference to his detention frames it as political suppression of a dissenting voice rather than a law-enforcement action.
Policy Backdrop
AAP has contested Gujarat elections since 2017, building its pitch around anti-corruption messaging and outreach to tribal and rural voters in the state's eastern belt. The party has consistently argued that both the BJP and Congress have failed adivasi communities on issues of land rights, resource allocation, and development.
Gujarat has been governed by the BJP since 1995, and the state's tribal districts — including Narmada — have periodically seen opposition gains in local body contests amid sustained allegations of neglect and crony capitalism. Kejriwal's post fits a broader pattern of AAP positioning itself as the only genuine alternative in BJP-dominated states by highlighting alleged collusion between the two established national parties.
Stakeholders and Impact
The immediate political beneficiary of this narrative is AAP, which claims a government in Narmada district — a constituency with a substantial tribal population. Kejriwal described the win as 'भाजपा के मुंह पर करारा तमाचा' ('a resounding slap on BJP's face'), signalling that the party intends to use the result as a launchpad for deeper penetration into Gujarat's tribal belt.
For the adivasi community, the electoral outcome represents a visible assertion of political agency. If AAP's local government in Narmada delivers on welfare and rights promises, it could consolidate the party's foothold ahead of future assembly and panchayat rounds. The Congress, which historically drew tribal support in Gujarat, faces continued erosion if AAP successfully occupies that space.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to whether AAP's district-level administration in Narmada translates electoral momentum into governance credibility. Any court proceedings or developments involving Chaitar Vasava will remain a flashpoint that opposition parties, including AAP, are likely to amplify. Future rounds of Gujarat municipal and district panchayat elections will test whether the party's tribal outreach can expand beyond a single district win into a durable statewide presence.
Point of View
Leaving AAP as the implied clean alternative. The Narmada district win, however localised, is being deployed as proof-of-concept for AAP's tribal outreach strategy, which has struggled to convert into assembly seats despite years of effort in Gujarat. The invocation of Chaitar Vasava's alleged detention is a rights-based frame designed to energise adivasi voters emotionally, not just electorally. If AAP can hold Narmada and govern visibly, the post's rhetoric could harden into a durable political identity in eastern Gujarat's tribal belt.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kejriwal accuse BJP and Congress of looting Gujarat together?
Kejriwal alleged that both parties are complicit in Gujarat's governance failures, arguing that BJP protects Congress leaders from legal action while using state power against tribal voices like Chaitar Vasava who challenge the establishment.
Who is Chaitar Vasava and why was he mentioned by Kejriwal?
Chaitar Vasava is a tribal political figure from Gujarat known for raising adivasi community issues. Kejriwal cited his alleged imprisonment as an example of the BJP government silencing dissent rather than targeting political rivals.
What happened in Narmada district elections?
AAP claimed victory in Narmada district local body elections. Kejriwal described the result as the adivasi community delivering a decisive blow against the BJP.
How long has BJP ruled Gujarat?
The BJP has governed Gujarat continuously since 1995, making it one of the longest-running single-party state governments in India.
What is AAP's strategy in Gujarat?
AAP has contested Gujarat elections since 2017, focusing on anti-corruption messaging and tribal welfare to position itself as an alternative to both BJP and Congress, particularly in the state's eastern tribal districts.
