‘If you speak against me, your ticket is confirmed’, Gopal Italia to Kanti Amrutiya Gujarat Assembly

There was plenty of drama on the last day of Gujarat Legislative Assembly’s monsoon session on Wednesday when a debate broke out between AAP MLA Gopal Italia and BJP MLA Kanti Amrutiya over the Factories Bill. For quite some time, political rivalry has simmered between Italia and Amrutiya. During Italia’s participation in the discussion, Amrutiya interjected, remarking that people from other states come to Gujarat in search of work.

Italia sharply countered, saying, “If there is so much boasting about employment in Gujarat, then why are people going abroad to the US, London, and other countries for jobs?” At one point, the verbal spat escalated.

AAP MLA Italia also remarked, “If you speak against me, then consider your (election) ticket confirmed. If my presence benefits someone, I have no objection.”

Speaking on the Factories Bill 2025, Italia directly attacked the labour department officials. He said, “Officers who themselves cannot sit in the Assembly for even two hours, how can they advocate for 12-hour workdays for labourers? From my experience as a police constable, I know even the police are exploited. The government should first compensate police for their 12–14-hour shifts in overtime before enacting laws for workers. When 50% of the labour department staff positions are vacant, who will inspect factories and safeguard workers?”

Notably, despite strong opposition from Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, the Factories Act (Gujarat Amendment) 2025 Bill was passed in the Assembly with a majority.