AAP Gujarat Faces Social Media Crackdown Ahead Of Local Body Polls; Facebook-Instagram Accounts Banned After Cases Of Content Theft

Mumbai: In a major development ahead of Gujarat’s local self-government elections, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Gujarat unit has suffered a key digital setback with its official accounts on Facebook and Instagram being blocked, shifting focus from campaign momentum to compliance violations. The action comes just as campaigning has concluded, with voting scheduled for April 26 and counting on April 28.

The account bans come after repeated copyright violations during AAP Gujarat’s online campaign. According to reports, the party’s social media handles used clips and visuals from popular Gujarati films like Saheb and Chhello Divas, including appearances by actors Malhar Thakar and Yash Soni, without obtaining necessary permissions. Platforms acted after identifying a pattern of unauthorised content use.

This was not treated as an isolated lapse. Regulators and platform authorities reportedly viewed the activity as part of a broader trend of misuse, prompting strict enforcement action. The suspension of accounts at a critical electoral juncture has dealt a blow to AAP’s digital outreach strategy, which had been central to its campaign.

The episode signals a broader shift in platform governance. Companies like Facebook and Instagram are increasingly taking an assertive role in enforcing copyright rules, indicating that political actors, like any other users, are not exempt from legal and platform compliance requirements.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been rocked by a major political shock nationally following the dramatic exit of Raghav Chadha and six other Rajya Sabha MPs, who have crossed over to the BJP. The mass defection, involving nearly two-thirds of AAP’s Upper House strength, is being seen as one of the biggest internal setbacks for the party in recent years. The move has exposed deep cracks within AAP’s leadership, with reports pointing to internal dissent, leadership tussles, and ideological differences.

Beyond numbers, the episode dents AAP’s national ambitions and raises concerns about its stability, especially in Punjab, where it is in power. The developments have intensified political attacks, leaving the party grappling with both perception and organisational challenges.