In a fresh setback for the Aam Aadmi Party ahead of Gujarat’s local self-government elections, the party’s Gujarat unit has lost access to its official Facebook and Instagram accounts after the platforms blocked them over alleged copyright violations, disrupting a key part of its election outreach just days before polling.

The suspension of AAP Gujarat’s social media handles comes at a crucial moment, with campaigning already over, voting scheduled for April 26 and counting on April 28. The sudden digital blackout has shifted attention away from the party’s electoral messaging and raised questions about its campaign management at a sensitive stage of the election cycle.

According to reports, the action was triggered after repeated use of copyrighted material on AAP Gujarat’s official social media pages. The party allegedly used clips and visuals from Gujarati films such as Saheb and Chhello Divas, featuring actors Malhar Thakar and Yash Soni, without securing permission from rights holders.

Platform authorities reportedly treated the matter as repeated misuse rather than a one-time violation, leading to enforcement action against the accounts. The decision has hit AAP’s digital campaign strategy at a time when online engagement had become central to its efforts in Gujarat.

The incident also highlights a growing trend of stricter compliance enforcement by social media companies such as Meta Platforms, which are increasingly cracking down on copyright violations regardless of whether the user is an individual, brand or political organisation.

Political observers say the timing of the suspension is especially damaging because social media had become one of AAP’s strongest tools to connect with urban voters and younger audiences during the local election campaign. Losing access to those platforms in the final phase of the campaign is expected to weaken the party’s visibility and voter mobilisation efforts.

The digital disruption comes amid a much larger political crisis for the AAP at the national level. The party is already facing intense pressure after seven of its Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, quit the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in a dramatic political shake-up.

The defection, which wiped out a significant portion of AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha, has triggered concerns about internal unrest, leadership struggles and weakening organisational discipline inside the party.

The combined effect of a major parliamentary rebellion and a campaign-time social media suspension has dealt a double blow to the party’s image, affecting both its national standing and its regional campaign efforts.

For AAP, the Gujarat account suspension is more than just a technical issue — it has become a political embarrassment at a time when the party is trying to present itself as a strong alternative force in state politics.