Overview

• Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil confirmed the party will contest the Visavadar and Kadi by-elections independently, distancing itself from AAP at the state level.
• The decision follows AAP's unilateral declaration of Gopal Italia as its candidate for the Visavadar seat without consulting Congress.
• Despite the state-level rift, both parties remain part of the INDIA bloc nationally, formed to counter BJP's dominance after the 2024 general elections.
• The Visavadar seat has been vacant since December 2023 after AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani resigned and joined BJP, while the Kadi seat has been vacant since February 2025 due to the death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki.
• Analysts warn that the split opposition vote in these bypolls could advantage the ruling BJP in Gujarat, a state where it has long consolidated power.