Kejriwal Says Gujarat Ready for Change After Three Decades of BJP Rule

During a three-day visit to Gujarat, Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal told workers in Rajkot that the party expected to form the city’s next civic leadership. Kejriwal said popular backing for Aam Aadmi Party had grown since the last municipal polls, claimed voters now wanted change, and argued that three decades of Bharatiya Janata Party rule were nearing an end.

Kejriwal reminded party workers that Aam Aadmi Party received 18 per cent of votes in the previous Rajkot municipal election. According to Kejriwal, this share showed that many residents trusted a relatively new organisation, formed around 2012, over larger rivals. Kejriwal said that support had risen further and that the party expected this base to convert into control of the mayor’s post.

Arvind Kejriwal Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party campaign and BJP criticism

Addressing workers, Kejriwal urged an intensive door-to-door campaign in Rajkot and other areas. Kejriwal asked teams to visit each household, speak directly with residents, and remove what Kejriwal called fear of the Bharatiya Janata Party from people’s minds. Kejriwal said voters were scared to criticise the government, and Aam Aadmi Party volunteers must convince them that change was possible and safe.

Kejriwal sharply criticised Bharatiya Janata Party governance in Gujarat, especially over three decades in power. Kejriwal said Gujarat’s roads were in poor condition and that schools and hospitals did not function properly. Kejriwal also alleged widespread drug availability across the state and claimed that anyone raising objections faced police complaints, including Kejriwal, who said cases were filed to send Kejriwal to jail.

Arvind Kejriwal Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party stance on farmers’ arrests

Earlier on the same day in Rajkot, Kejriwal met families of farmers whose children were detained during protests against the karza pratha. According to Kejriwal, 88 youths from farming families were arrested and charged under severe sections. Kejriwal alleged the gathering was peaceful and aimed at demanding rights, yet the administration reacted with force.

Describing what farmers told Kejriwal after release, the Aam Aadmi Party leader claimed arrested youths reported harsh treatment. Kejriwal said they spoke of going without drinking water and food for the first 24 hours and facing heavy beatings. Kejriwal linked this account to colonial-era behaviour, saying such treatment reminded people of actions by British rulers.

Arvind Kejriwal Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party message on unity and resistance

Kejriwal said accounts from affected families moved Kejriwal to tears and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to break farmers’ morale through pressure. Kejriwal argued the strategy backfired, claiming farmers across Gujarat instead became more united. Villagers from the arrested farmers’ areas reportedly worked collectively in the detainees’ fields, showing solidarity like one extended family.

Arvind Kejriwal Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party attack on 30 years of BJP rule

Returning to electoral politics, Kejriwal said Aam Aadmi Party’s rise forced other parties to discuss public services such as schools, hospitals, electricity and water during campaigns. According to Kejriwal, earlier elections rarely focused on these issues. Kejriwal argued that growing support in places like Rajkot, shown by the earlier 18 per cent vote share, indicated that more voters trusted Aam Aadmi Party’s approach.

Kejriwal told workers that every household must be contacted to build confidence before the next civic polls. Kejriwal said residents needed reassurance that FIRs and pressure would not decide politics, and that people could stand together. Kejriwal expressed confidence that with such outreach, Rajkot’s next mayor would belong to Aam Aadmi Party and that a people-centric government would eventually take shape in Gujarat.