Gujarat AAP chief Italia to contest from Katargam Assembly seat; Kejriwal stresses on participation of youth in politics

Four 2015 Patidar agitation leaders on AAP ticket in poll fray

The Aam Aadmi Party's Gujarat unit chief Gopal Italia will be contesting from Katargam Assembly seat while state general secretary Manoj Sorathiya has been given ticket from Karan seat, both in Surat district.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal announced the decisions on Twitter while saying that "participation of youths are necessary in politics."

"The participation of youth in politics is essential. In Gujarat, our state president and popular youth Gopal Italia will contest from Surat's Katargam Assembly seat and state general secretary Manoj Sorathiya will contest elections from Karanj Assembly seat. I wish all the best to both the youth," Kejriwal tweeted.

With this, the party has announced its candidates on 166 assembly seats in the house of 182 seats.

Also Read | Gujarat Elections: How many CMs have ruled the state since Modi?

Alpesh Kathiriya and Dharmesh Malaviya, who joined AAP barely a week ago, are also contesting from other seats in Surat city. All four leaders of AAP were once part of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), which had led the statewide 2015 agitation for reservation in the state.

While their leader Hardik Patel joined Congress and then BJP earlier this year, who is likely to contest from Viramgam as BJP candidate, the four former aides are set to challenge the BJP in the diamond city, considered a BJP fortress.

The 2015 agitation is said to have cost BJP heavily elsewhere in 2017 except Surat. The BJP won 15 of 16 seats in Surat district despite PAAS leaders supporting Congress candidates, resentment against the BJP over implementation of GST and demonetisation.

However, the impact of PAAS support to AAP reflected in February 2021 civic body polls where Arvind Kejriwal's party won 27 seats, tasting its first electoral success in Gujarat politics, while it also ousted Congress as chief opposition party.

On Wednesday, BJP PVS Sarma resigned and joined AAP. The party gave him a ticket to contest from Majura Gate seat. A retired income tax officer, Sarma last served as BJP's Surat city vice-president. He was also probed by the Enforcement Directorate.

The AAP's star campaigners include Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, other leaders like Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, Harbhajan Singh and Isudan Gadhvi.