Gopal Italia Triumphs in Gujarat By-Election, Strengthening AAP's Position
Gopal Italia of the Aam Aadmi Party has secured a notable victory in the Gujarat by-election, defeating BJP's Kirit Patel by over 17,000 votes. This win restores AAP's representation in the state assembly to five seats, while the BJP's strength increases to 161. Italia, who previously lost in the 2022 elections, has emerged as a significant political figure, known for his activism and public protests against corruption. His journey from a police officer to a prominent social activist and now a legislator showcases his commitment to addressing social issues and advocating for the youth and farmers. This victory marks a pivotal moment for AAP in Gujarat's political landscape.
| Jun 24, 2025, 14:48 IST
Gopal Italia's Victory in Gujarat
Gopal Italia, a leader from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), achieved a significant victory by defeating BJP's Kirit Patel by a margin of 17,554 votes in the Visavadar assembly seat of Gujarat's Junagadh district. Meanwhile, the BJP secured a comfortable win in the Kadi seat of Mehsana district. Italia, who faced defeat in the 2022 assembly elections from Surat's Katargam, garnered 75,942 votes—over 10,000 more than the votes received by former AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani in Visavadar in 2022. Bhayani later switched parties to join the BJP, necessitating this by-election.
With this outcome, AAP's representation in the 182-member Gujarat assembly has returned to five seats, matching their count from the 2022 elections. The BJP's strength has now increased to 161 seats. The by-election was highly competitive, but Italia maintained a lead throughout the campaign, ultimately securing a remarkable victory. This marks Italia's first win as a legislator. Born on July 21, 1989, in Botad, Gujarat, Gopal Italia began his career as a police officer before emerging as a prominent social activist.
Italia first gained public attention in 2017 when he called out then-Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel for violating liquor prohibition laws as a government employee. The video of this phone call went viral, earning him widespread recognition for his bold stance against corruption. Before entering politics, Italia was actively involved in the Patidar reservation movement and was associated with the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). In 2018, he organized public meetings to raise legal awareness. After joining AAP in June 2020, he was appointed as the state vice president and later became the president of the Gujarat unit by December of the same year.
Italia has led numerous public protests addressing social and administrative irregularities. In 2021, he spearheaded demonstrations demanding accountability for the cancellation of the Gujarat head clerk exam due to a paper leak. Known for his grassroots appeal and clear public statements, he has become a significant voice for the youth and farmers.