Being the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, all eyes in the country are on Gujarat. During the Winter Session of Parliament, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a major attack on the BJP in the Lok Sabha regarding the sale of liquor and drugs in Gujarat.
Ahmedabad: Political activity has once again intensified in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. During the Winter Session of Parliament, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a major attack on the BJP government in the Lok Sabha over the sale of illegal liquor and drugs in Gujarat. Following this, the state's politics has once again come into the national spotlight.
Meanwhile, the three major political parties in Gujarat – Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – are engaged in garnering public support through their respective political yatras (journeys/rallies). These political activities are considered very significant ahead of the upcoming local body elections and the 2027 assembly elections.
Congress's 'Jan Akrosh Yatra' Claims Widespread Public Support
Congress began its 'Jan Akrosh Yatra' on November 21, which is concluding on December 3. The party claims that this yatra has received unprecedented public support across the state. The yatra is being led by Congress MLA Amit Chavda. Congress has tried to create an anti-government sentiment by focusing on issues such as unemployment, inflation, the sale of illegal liquor despite prohibition, corruption, and law and order. Following Rahul Gandhi's latest statement, Congress hopes that the issue of illegal liquor and drug trafficking could become a major political question in the state.
BJP's 'Unity March': A Political Show of Strength in the Name of Sardar Patel
Parallel to the Congress's yatra, the BJP has also launched a 'Unity March' in Gujarat. This yatra is being organized on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This 150-kilometer-long yatra is being led by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, instead of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel or the state president.
This yatra will commence from Karamsad in Anand district and conclude on December 6 in Kevadia, home to the world's tallest statue, the 'Statue of Unity'. Karamsad is Sardar Patel's ancestral village, while Kevadia has become a global symbol of his memory. Through this yatra, the BJP is bringing issues of nationalism, unity, and development before the public.
Third Contender: AAP's 'Gujarat Jodo' Campaign
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which emerged as the third alternative in the state, is also actively in the fray. After focusing on Saurashtra and tribal areas, AAP has now increased its focus on North Gujarat. Under the leadership of state president Isudan Gadhvi, the party is running the 'Gujarat Jodo' campaign. As part of this, hundreds of meetings have been held to connect with farmers, youth, and the rural population.
AAP MLAs Chaitar Vasava and Gopal Italia are also consistently cornering the government on the issue of illegal liquor and drugs. The party's goal is to bring about a major political upheaval in the upcoming Municipal Elections, especially in Surat, from where it gained its political identity in Gujarat.
Local Body Elections After SIR, Political Temperature to Rise
Currently, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists is underway in Gujarat. After the completion of this process, municipal corporation and local body elections will be held in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and other cities, with the exception of Gandhinagar and Junagadh. These elections are now expected in 2026, while the assembly elections are due the very next year, in 2027. Consequently, all parties have already begun to strengthen their political ground.
The Aam Aadmi Party has made it clear that it will not form an electoral alliance with any other party. Thus, the upcoming local body elections will see a triangular contest among the BJP, Congress, and AAP. While the BJP is in a b position due to its incumbency, Congress faces a dual challenge – competing with the BJP on one hand, and fending off AAP's intrusion into its traditional vote bank on the other.
Following a recent cabinet reshuffle in the government led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the training of new ministers has been completed. Top officials from the state government and district administration were present at the 'Chintan Shivir' (brainstorming session) held in Valsad.
