A public event to inaugurate a school in Gujarat's tribal belt turned into a political showdown on Friday, January 4, 2026, when Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Chaitar Vasava confronted district administration officials on stage.
Stage Showdown at Government Event
The incident occurred at the inauguration ceremony for the Eklavya Model Residential School in Sagbara taluka of Narmada district. Chaitar Vasava, who serves as the AAP's Gujarat working president and is the MLA from Dediapada, arrived at the event and directly questioned why he, as the elected representative of the area, had not been invited.
Taking the microphone, Vasava addressed District Collector and the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) in front of the assembled crowd. He emphasized that the snub was not a personal insult but an insult to the people he represents. The school was built using taxpayer money, making the exclusion of a public representative particularly contentious.
MLA's Direct Challenge to Administration
Vasava posed pointed questions to the officials present. "I want to ask the District Collector, SDM and Project director, do you have a problem with me?" he demanded. He further connected his exclusion to his previous scrutiny of government spending, referencing a recent visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the region.
"When Prime Minister Modi recently visited the area, crores of rupees from tribal development funds were spent on the dome, dais and other event management expenses. Do you feel troubled when I ask such questions?" Vasava stated. He underscored that the salaries of all MPs, MLAs, and officials are paid from public funds, implying a duty of transparency and inclusion.
Event Turns Stormy, BJP MP Intervenes
The situation escalated quickly when an official on the dais attempted to have Vasava's microphone switched off. This move backfired, inciting the crowd, which began protesting in support of the AAP MLA. The commotion grew to such a level that BJP MP Mansukh Vasava had to step in to calm the protesters and prevent them from leaving the venue en masse.
The inauguration event, which had Gujarat Tribal Affairs Minister Naresh Patel as the chief guest, was ultimately overshadowed by this very public confrontation. The incident highlights the ongoing political friction in Gujarat, where the AAP is seeking to establish a stronger foothold.
In a related development within Gujarat's political circles, BJP state vice-president Rasik Prajapati issued a cautionary note to sitting corporators of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation. With civic polls approaching, Prajapati advised them to focus on party work over personal publicity. A video of his remarks, where he suggested that those constantly in the news are often absent from party activities, has been widely shared on social media. This advice comes as the party prepares for ticket distribution following recent reservations for OBC candidates.
