Arvind Kejriwal is starting a three-day visit to Gujarat on 7 December, while Aam Aadmi Party faces political tension in the state. The trip includes several events, and party leaders see it as crucial for organisation growth.
The visit follows a shoe attack on AAP MLA Gopal Italia during a rally in Jamnagar.
Kejriwal shared details of the Gujarat tour through a post on X. The AAP convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister stated that the schedule includes multiple public programmes. Party functionaries link this tour to upcoming political activity in Gujarat, where AAP is working to widen its base against established parties.
Arvind Kejriwal Gujarat visit AAP Gujarat rally incident and security concerns
The Jamnagar incident took place during an AAP rally on Saturday. A person from the audience suddenly threw a shoe at Gopal Italia while Italia was on stage. The attack created panic at the venue and disrupted the event. People on the stage and in the crowd reacted immediately, leading to chaos.
As soon as the shoe was hurled, a woman AAP worker jumped off the stage. Other party workers quickly joined and caught the accused. According to visuals from the event, several workers then beat the person for a long time. The situation on the stage and around it turned disorderly within seconds.
Arvind Kejriwal Gujarat visit AAP Gujarat political reaction and BJP Congress claims
Police personnel present at the rally tried to intervene and rescue the man. However, the crowd was large and agitated, so officers struggled for some time. Footage shows police pushing through workers to free the accused from the group. The incident raised questions about security arrangements at AAP’s public gatherings in Gujarat.
After the rally, a video of the incident circulated widely on social media platforms. The clip showed the exact moment the shoe was thrown and the immediate scuffle. It highlighted how quickly AAP workers surrounded the accused. The visuals also underlined the scale of the crowd and the difficulties faced by the police.
Arvind Kejriwal Gujarat visit AAP Gujarat popularity and Kejriwal’s statement
Kejriwal reacted sharply on X after the attack and linked it to AAP’s growth in Gujarat. Kejriwal alleged that the party’s rising support base has worried rival groups. The AAP chief argued that both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress feel uneasy about changing voter preferences in the state.
Kejriwal wrote, “In Gujarat, the rising popularity of AAP has shaken both the BJP and the Congress. We question the failures of the BJP, yet it is the Congress that feels the pain… why? In Jamnagar, our popular leader and MLA Gopal Italia was attacked by a Congress worker.”
In another post, Kejriwal increased his attack on both national parties. Kejriwal claimed the Jamnagar episode reflects a joint resistance to AAP. According to the AAP convenor, the incident goes beyond personal assault and signals a broader political threat felt by opponents in Gujarat.
| Key aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Leader | Arvind Kejriwal |
| State | Gujarat |
| Visit duration | Three days from 7 December |
| Major incident | Shoe thrown at Gopal Italia in Jamnagar rally |
| Main allegation | BJP and Congress united against AAP |
Kejriwal asserted, “This attack clearly shows that in Gujarat, the BJP and the Congress are now fighting together against AAP.” The statement framed the attack as a coordinated political response. Kejriwal’s comments placed responsibility on both parties rather than only on individual workers present at the rally.
Kejriwal further warned the rival parties and emphasised AAP’s stance. Kejriwal said, “But both parties should listen carefully. AAP leaders neither fear nor bow down. The people of Gujarat have already decided to move toward AAP for change, and that is the reason behind the panic in both parties.” The remark combined political messaging with claims about voter mood.
The three-day Gujarat tour now carries added political weight after the Jamnagar incident. AAP cadres are expected to highlight the attack while projecting confidence about growth in the state. For BJP and Congress, the episode and Kejriwal’s charges add another layer to competition, as all sides track how public opinion in Gujarat responds.