New Delhi [India]: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday announced its list of 40 star campaigners for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly bye-elections, scheduled to be held on June 19 in the Kadi and Visavadar constituencies.
AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will lead the party’s campaign, with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, former Delhi ministers Atishi and Manish Sisodia, and other senior leaders also slated to canvass for the party.
The list also includes AAP heavyweights such as:
- Sanjay Singh
- Gopal Rai
- Isudan Gadhavi (Gujarat AAP Chief)
- Raghav Chadha
- Durgesh Pathak
- Imran Hussain
- Gulab Singh Yadav
- Hemant Khava
- Umesh Makavana
- Sudhir Vaghani
- Mahraj Malik
- Pravin Ram
Constituencies and Context
The Kadi and Visavadar Assembly seats fell vacant following the demise of Karsanbhai Punjabhai Solanki and the resignation of Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai, respectively.
These bypolls are crucial for AAP, which continues to expand its footprint beyond Delhi and Punjab, especially after a limited but noticeable showing in Gujarat in the 2022 Assembly elections, where it secured around 10.5–11% of the vote share.
Congress to Contest Alone
Meanwhile, the Gujarat Congress has confirmed it will contest the bypolls independently, without forming alliances with the AAP or INDIA bloc partners. Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil stated:
“Gujaratis have never voted for a third front. Here, it is either Congress or the BJP.”
He also criticised AAP’s previous efforts in Gujarat, stating that despite a high-profile campaign, the party only managed a limited vote share, which splintered the anti-BJP vote in past elections.
Election Timeline and Arrangements
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI):
- Last date for filing nominations: June 2, 2025
- Scrutiny of nominations: June 3
- Last date for withdrawal: June 5
- Polling date: June 19
- Counting of votes: June 23
The ECI has confirmed the use of EVMs and VVPATs at all polling stations and assured that adequate machines and logistical arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth and transparent voting process.
Outlook
With the BJP aiming to retain its dominance, the Congress seeking revival, and AAP pushing to cement its relevance in Gujarat, the Kadi and Visavadar bye-elections are shaping up to be an early litmus test for opposition strategy ahead of the next state elections.