AAP names 460 candidates for Gujarat local body polls, slams dynasty politics

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday released its first list of more than 460 candidates for the upcoming local body elections in Gujarat. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party framed its choice of nominees as the dawn of a new tradition that steers away from nepotism in mainstream politics.

AAP’s Gujarat unit chief, Isudan Gadhvi, said the party had chosen "ordinary people" as its candidates for all levels across the local governance hierarchy.

He asserted that the list, prepared under the guidance of the state and central party leadership, marks a crucial pivot from the prevailing dynastic dynamics in Indian electoral politics.

Gadhvi further pointed to the widely acknowledged bias displayed by political parties, saying that ground-level workers are systemically overlooked in ticket distribution to make way for the family members of wealthy individuals and politically influential figures.

According to him, the candidates chosen by AAP for the forthcoming civic body polls are socially active and truly represent common citizens.

Portraying his party's selection of nominees as a new chapter in the political landscape of Gujarat, Gadhvi expressed confidence that the move will be welcomed by people from all castes and religions.

It is worth noting that this will be the first time AAP is contesting local body elections in Gujarat independently. The party plans to field candidates for all 12,000 civic body seats across Gujarat.

As part of the party's outreach strategy, Kejriwal, along with senior AAP leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is set to arrive in Gujarat for a three-day visit. A grand rally, led by the duo, has been scheduled on March 25 in Amreli.

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