Kejriwal, BTP's Chhotu Vasava to address joint tribal rally in Gujarat on May 1

AHMEDABAD: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) founder Chhotu Vasava will jointly address a tribal rally on May 1 near Valia in Bharuch district of Gujarat, where elections are due in December this year. Kejriwal will come to

Gujarat

on May 1 and meet

Vasava

at Chanderiya in Valia taluka, AAP and

BTP

leaders said on Tuesday.

"Kejriwal and Vasava will discuss issues of common interest concerning the tribal community before addressing 'Adivasi Sankalp Mahasammelan," state Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) president Gopal Italia told reporters in Ahmedabad.

The BTP, founded by Chhotu Vasava, had contested the 2017 Gujarat elections on some tribal-dominated seats in alliance with Congress. It had won two seats.

However, the BTP later distanced itself from Congress. The BTP founder and the party national president Mahesh Vasava recently met Kejriwal separately in Delhi.

The AAP is looking to forge an alliance with the BTP for the upcoming polls in Gujarat, according to sources.

"AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal will visit Gujarat on May 1 on the state Foundation Day. He will hold discussions with Chhotubhai Vasava at 'White House' (the BTP office) at Chanderiya. Leaders of both the BTP and the AAP will attend the meeting," Italia said.

After the meeting, the two leaders will jointly address the "Adivasi Sankalp Mahasammelan" at 11 AM where they will talk about the issues discussed.

BTP president Mahesh Vasava, brother of Chhotu Vasava, told reporters at the joint press conference that the party is looking for "a new start in its struggle for the rights of tribals who have been failed by both the BJP and the Congress".

"On Gujarat Foundation Day, we will present a roadmap for a new Gujarat model. We will provide the message to all the tribal-dominated districts and states across the country," he said.

Mahesh Vasava said he and Chhotu Vasava had visited Delhi several times in the past and spoke to the people.

We also observed the education model and various works initiated by the AAP government in Delhi, he said.

"The (Delhi) government has helped the poor by improving their status, providing them quality education, jobs, and waiving electricity (bills). On the other hand, the status of school education in Gujarat is very poor. The BJP government has shut down many schools in tribal areas through merger," he claimed.

The Vasavas had recently met Kejriwal in Delhi and also visited a government school in the national capital.

The BTP holds influence in the districts of Bharuch and Narmada and the tribal pockets of south and central Gujarat.

Ahead of elections, the political parties in Gujarat are trying to woo tribals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed a rally at Dahod which BJP hopes will boost the party's prospects in tribal belts in the run-up to the state Assembly polls late this year. Congress is also looking to galvanise its tribal units.

In the 182-member House, 27 seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates.

The AAP is trying to project itself as an alternative to the already decimated Congress in Gujarat, the traditional bastion of BJP and the home state of PM Modi.