AAP Surges in Gujarat, Overtakes Congress to Become Second-Largest Political Force

Ahmedabad, Gujarat: A significant political shift is underway in Gujarat, a state long dominated by the BJP. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is rapidly emerging as a strong alternative, challenging the traditional dominance of both BJP and Congress.

According to the “Pulse of Gujarat 2026” survey conducted by WeePreside and CIF, Gujarat’s political landscape is increasingly shaping up as BJP versus AAP, with Congress steadily losing ground.

AAP Vote Share Jumps to 24.8%
The survey indicates that AAP’s vote share in Gujarat has surged to 24.8%, while Congress has fallen to 17.3%. BJP continues to lead with approximately 49.5% of votes, but the primary political challenge is now coming from AAP rather than Congress.

Vote Share Doubles in Three Years
A comparison with the 2022 assembly elections shows the magnitude of the shift. Congress received around 27% of votes in 2022, down from 40% in 2017, and its support has declined by another 10% in just three years. AAP, which contested Gujarat elections for the first time in 2022, secured about 13% of the vote share. In the past three years, AAP has nearly doubled its support, signaling a substantial migration of traditional Congress voters toward the party.

Strong Urban Presence for AAP
Regional data reinforces this trend. In Saurashtra and Kutch, areas where BJP faces some vulnerability, AAP is quickly gaining ground. While BJP remains strong in North and Central Gujarat, AAP enjoys considerably more support than Congress in urban and metro areas. In urban Gujarat, AAP is increasingly seen not as a second choice but as a direct challenger to BJP.

Kejriwal Holds Massive Ahmedabad Rally
Amid this shifting political landscape, AAP held a large rally in Ahmedabad, where national convener Arvind Kejriwal addressed party workers. Kejriwal stated that the people of Gujarat have overcome fear and expressed confidence that AAP would bring a change of government in the 2027 assembly elections. He emphasized that struggles against injustice should not be feared, and that the public will respond to any attempts at repression.

Public Mood Shifting in Gujarat
After three years of governance, the public mood in Gujarat appears to be changing. Issues such as collective cabinet resignations, unemployment, rising prices, and administrative concerns are prompting voters to rethink their trust. Surveys suggest that while BJP remains ahead, the real contest is no longer with a weakening Congress, but with a rapidly rising AAP—a trend that could shape the foundation for the 2027 assembly elections.