The arrest stems from the legislator’s exposure of corruption involving BJP leaders, claim Kejriwal and others
NEW DELHI/AHMADABAD — Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Chaitar Vasava was arrested in Gujarat days after the party’s victory in the Visavadar by-election, triggering a political standoff between the AAP and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The arrest has led to strong criticism from AAP, which claims the move is politically motivated. Senior party leaders, including National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Gujarat in-charge Gopal Rai, co-incharge Durgesh Pathak, and state president Isudan Gadhvi, on Saturday, alleged that Vasava was arrested for exposing corruption involving BJP leaders.
According to AAP’s version of events, the MLA had gone to attend a tehsil-level coordination meeting where he questioned certain committee appointments and raised concerns about misappropriation of funds under the MNREGA scheme. The party claims that Vasava had previously filed complaints against individuals allegedly linked to BJP ministers.
AAP alleges that Vasava was attacked by unidentified individuals before his arrest and that when he attempted to file a police complaint, the Gujarat Police instead filed an FIR against him and took him into custody. No official police version has been released publicly as of this report.
As per the FIR filed against Vasava, the arrest was made after he allegedly attacked the taluka panchayat functionary at Dediapada in Narmada district.
A Press Trust of India (PTI) report said Vasava got agitated after raising objections over his nominee not being considered for appointment as a member of the ‘Aapno Taluko Vibrant Taluko’ (ATVT), a local-level coordination committee.
Taking to the social media platform X, Arvind Kejriwal said, “After losing the Visavadar by-election to AAP, the BJP is rattled. If they think such arrests will intimidate AAP, they are making a huge mistake.”
Gopal Rai and Durgesh Pathak also criticised the arrest, claiming that the BJP was using state machinery to suppress dissent. Isudan Gadhvi further termed the arrest as an attack on tribal representation and alleged that the BJP was targeting Vasava for his efforts to hold ruling party leaders accountable.
The AAP leaders have indicated that the party will challenge the police action both legally and through public mobilisation.
The arrest has sparked concern among political observers and activists, especially given the recent electoral developments in Gujarat, where AAP has been seeking to expand its footprint. Whether the matter will escalate into a wider political or legal battle remains to be seen.
