New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday made a significant reshuffle by appointing Isudan Gadhvi, the party's chief ministerial candidate in the recent Gujarat assembly election, as president of the state unit. In contrast, the party's Gujarat chief, Gopal Italia, has been given a national role. In addition, Italia has been appointed co-incharge for Maharashtra. “BIG ANNOUNCEMENT !! The party hereby appoints new office bearers. Best wishes to all,” the AAP said on its official Twitter handle.
The list stated that Gadhvi, a former journalist, is the new Gujarat president of the AAP, and Italia is now the national joint secretary.
The Aam Aadmi Party has divided Gujarat organizationally into six zones, with distinct working presidents for each zone, in addition to the President.
The AAP became a "national party" after winning five seats in Gujarat.
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister and national convenor of the AAP, stated on December 8 that his 10-year-old party had become a "national party" after receiving almost 13% of votes in the Gujarat Assembly elections.
“Today, the AAP has become a national party. Results of the Gujarat election have come and the party has become a national party. 10 years ago AAP was a small party, now it has governments in two states and has become a national party,” Delhi CM said on December 8 after the results of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections were announced.
In anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the party appointed Sandeep Pathak, its senior leader and Rajya Sabha member, as the National General Secretary Organization (Rashtriya Sangathan Mahamantri).
Pathak will also be a permanent invitee to the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC), as stated in an official statement.
During the assembly elections in Gujarat and Punjab, Pathak served as the party's election director.