Surat AAP Candidate Flaunts Rs 90 Lakh Gold, Campaigns With Two Bouncers!

Last Updated:April 21, 2026, 08:53 IST

AAP candidate Kalpesh Barot campaigned in Surat’s Ward 1 wearing gold worth Rs 90 lakh with bouncers, citing security concerns. Opponents dismissed it as a publicity stunt

Elections in Surat have never lacked intrigue, but this season, Ward Number 1 has become the centre of attention for an unusual reason. A candidate has managed to grab public curiosity not through speeches alone, but through a striking visual statement that follows him wherever he goes.

Gold, Guards, And Growing Curiosity

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Kalpesh Barot has emerged as one of the most talked-about faces in the constituency. Each time he steps out to campaign, residents find themselves peering out of windows and gathering along the streets. The spectacle is hard to miss: Barot adorned in heavy gold chains and rings, accompanied by two muscular bouncers who remain close at all times.

According to his election affidavit, Barot owns gold valued at approximately Rs 90 lakh. Rather than keeping this wealth discreet, he has woven it directly into his campaign persona, turning it into a moving display that travels through the lanes of Surat.

More Than A Display Of Wealth

At first glance, the display appears to be a straightforward show of affluence. However, Barot insists there is a deeper message behind the gold and the guards. He argues that the act is meant to highlight a pressing concern: public safety.

By choosing to campaign with private security while openly wearing valuable jewellery, Barot says he is attempting to provoke a larger question: if a political candidate feels compelled to arrange personal protection for his belongings, what does that suggest about the prevailing law and order situation?

His campaign, in this sense, is less about spectacle and more about symbolism. Through this approach, he wants voters to reflect on whether they truly feel secure in their daily lives, and whether reliance on private protection signals a gap in public policing.

Mixed Reactions On The Ground

Unsurprisingly, the strategy has sparked a wide range of reactions among voters and political observers alike. Some residents appreciate the unconventional approach, saying it has at least managed to draw attention to the issue of safety in a way that conventional campaigning often fails to do.

Others, however, remain sceptical. Opposition parties have dismissed the move as a calculated stunt designed purely to attract attention and secure votes. They argue that such theatrics divert focus from more pressing civic concerns such as road infrastructure, water supply, and electricity, issues that directly affect everyday life in the constituency.

A Tight Political Contest

The timing of this attention-grabbing campaign is crucial. Gujarat is set to go to the polls on April 26, and Surat is witnessing a closely fought contest, particularly between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

With stakes running high, every campaign strategy is under scrutiny, and Barot’s ‘gold-centred’ outreach has ensured that he remains firmly in the spotlight.

All Eyes On The Results

Whether this unconventional tactic translates into electoral success remains to be seen. Will voters interpret it as a bold commentary on security, or dismiss it as mere showmanship?

The answer will become clear when the results are announced on April 28, determining whether Kalpesh Barot’s glittering campaign leaves a lasting political impact or fades as a fleeting spectacle.

News cities surat Surat AAP Candidate Flaunts Rs 90 Lakh Gold, Campaigns With Two Bouncers!

Read More