Just hours before the crucial Gujarat local body elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has ignited a massive political firestorm. The party has officially accused the BJP of using its influence to orchestrate the suspension of AAP Gujarat's official Facebook and Instagram pages. This digital "blackout" has raised serious questions about fair play in the final lap of the 2026 civic poll campaign.Arvind Kejriwal Questions "Fear" in the BJP CampAAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal took to social media to express his outrage over the suspension. Sharing a video from Gujarat AAP President Isudan Gadhvi, Kejriwal questioned, "Why is the BJP so scared?" The party alleges that their digital presence was intentionally crippled to prevent their message from reaching voters during the critical 48-hour silent period before polling.The Power of 8 Crore Views: Why Digital Presence MattersAccording to Isudan Gadhvi, the AAP Gujarat social media handles had collectively garnered over 8 crore views in the past month alone. He claimed that the party’s rising popularity on Instagram and Facebook was becoming a major threat to the ruling establishment."Our pages were emerging as the voice of the people. Shutting them down is a direct attempt to suppress the public sentiment," Gadhvi stated in his video message.A Tense Political Climate in GujaratThe timing of this digital crackdown is particularly sensitive. As campaigning for 15 Municipal Corporations, 84 Municipalities, and 34 District Panchayats comes to an end, every digital impression counts. While the BJP has not issued an official response to these specific allegations, the political temperature in the state has reached a boiling point.Rebels and Defections: The Broader ContextThe social media row comes on the heels of major political shifts in the state. Recent reports indicate that the BJP itself is facing internal turmoil with several "rebel" candidates fighting as independents. Meanwhile, AAP is fighting to maintain its momentum following the recent exit of high-profile leaders like Raghav Chadha to the BJP.What’s Next for the Gujarat Polls?With polling scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2026, the State Election Commission is under pressure to ensure a level playing field. Whether the suspension was a technical glitch or a calculated move, it has undoubtedly turned the "digital campaign" into a central issue of this election.
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