Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], July 1 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, on Tuesday, hailed the party's victory in Gujarat's Visavadar by-election, saying it reflects the mood of Gujarat for a change.
While speaking to the media, Kejriwal said, "In the Visavadar by-election, the overwhelming majority with which Aam Aadmi Party secured victory and defeated BJP shows the mood of Gujarat, that people are fed up with BJP, they are angry, and want change. Gujarat wants a change," Kejriwal said.
The AAP Chief said that the victory was a response to the people's desire for an alternative to the BJP, which has ruled Gujarat for 30 years.
"BJP ruled here for 30 years because there was no alternative; Congress was sitting in BJP's lap... Now people have found a good, honest, patriotic alternative. They have decided to bring the Aam Aadmi Party to power," Kejriwal claimed.
Earlier, on June 24, after winning the Visavadar Assembly bye-election by 17,554 votes, AAP leader Gopal Italia credited victory to public support, called it a historic result against the BJP's efforts, and highlighted growing faith in AAP leadership in Gujarat.
"The public contested these elections... I was only a medium. When the people contest the elections themselves, it is confirmed that the results would be historic... The BJP did everything to win these elections... This is people's win," Italia said while speaking to ANI.
"The people want change in Gujarat... The people have faith in the AAP and its leadership... I thank everyone who was involved in these elections," he added.
The party had fielded Gopal Italia, a former Gujarat party chief, as its candidate for the Visavadar Assembly bypolls. The AAP party workers celebrated the election results in Gujarat, as Gopal Italia defeated BJP's Kirit Patel by 17,554 votes, garnering 75,942 votes in total.
The Visavadar seat fell vacant after Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai resigned. Visavadar assembly constituency is part of Junagadh district and a segment of Junagadh Lok Sabha constituency.