After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, it seems that the Aam Aadmi Party has intensified the preparations for the Gujarat elections. It is reported that the party is considering an alliance with the Indian Tribal Party led by Chhotu Vasava. Recently, Kejriwal had a big road show in Ahmedabad with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. Here, Vasava has also confirmed that his party has decided to join hands with AAP.
Gujarat may go to polls later this year and AAP has decided to field candidates on all 182 seats. Sources reveal that the alliance between AAP and BTP was discussed during Kejriwal’s two-day visit to Gujarat. AAP Gujarat president Gopal Italia says, “Discussions are on for an alliance with the BTP.”
In a phone conversation with Hindustan Times, Vasava said, ‘People have become upset with both the BJP and the Congress. We have decided to have an alliance with you. We will soon go to Delhi to discuss how to take this alliance forward. He said that the alliance would not be for Gujarat only, but it would be done at the national level keeping in view the interests of the tribal community.
Understand the politics of BTP
BTP has two MLAs each in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Vasava has a significant presence in the tribal areas of Gujarat. In such a situation, joining hands with BTP will be beneficial for you. This will give the party access to tribals, who constitute 16-17 per cent of the state’s population. AAP’s strategist Sandeep Pathak is also in charge of Gujarat. He said on Monday that according to an internal survey, if elections are held today, the party could win 55-60 assembly seats in Gujarat.
Former JD(U) leader Chhotu Vasava had formed the BTP along with his son Mahesh Vasava during the 2017 elections and the party came into an alliance with the Congress. His party had won two seats in the tribal areas of Gujarat. On the one hand, he won from Jhagadia seat of Bharuch. At the same time, his son won from Dediapada in Narmada district.
Late Congress leader Ahmed Patel was preparing for his re-nomination during the Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat in August 2017. He played a big role in the alliance of Congress and BTP. During that time Patel needed the support of 44 MLAs. After getting 43 votes from Congress MLAs, the deciding vote came from Vasava’s side. Vasava was then heading the Janata Dal (United) faction led by Sharad Yadav.
BTP had tried its luck in the Rajasthan assembly elections in 2018, where they won two seats by raising their voice for implementation of tribal rights. In the year 2019, Vasava broke away from the Congress and fielded tribal candidates in five seats. These include the names of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. However, he could not get success in any seat.