Margao: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, while addressing a public meeting at Betalbatim, called upon Congress workers to join hands in defeating the BJP, saying the battle was not between political parties but to save Goa.
Launching a sharp attack on the BJP government, Kejriwal said, “Goa was once known as the best tourist destination. Today, it is known for the Arpora incident. From top to bottom — officers to ministers — everyone knew about the illegal club. Such clubs run because they pay ‘hafta’. This is a ‘hafta vasooli sarkar’”
Kejriwal said that if a common man wants to start a small shop, it becomes impossible,but illegal businesses are allowed freely against payment of bribes.
“Other parties’ MLAs earn crores once elected, but AAP’s MLAs are islands of hope. The people of Benaulim and Velim know their MLAs are honest and non-corrupt,” he said.
Addressing Congress workers and supporters, he said, “I want to openly welcome all Congress workers and supporters who are fed up with the repeated collusion of Congress with the BJP. If you truly want to defeat the BJP and bring honest governance to Goa, only AAP can do it. This fight is not about parties, it is about saving Goa.”
Attacking family rule, he said, “No family should run Goa — be it the Ranes or the Alemaos. Common people of Goa should run Goa.”
Addressing the gathering, Velim MLA Cruz Silva said, “People want change in Goa — enough is enough. These ZP elections are the beginning of that change.”
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said the election would be fought on work and integrity. AAP Goa president Amit Palekar said, “The work done by our MLAs in Benaulim and Velim is AAP’s Goa Model — healthcare close to home, better roads, no gundaraj and no hafta.”
We will take this model to the entire state. I want to tell the previous MLA — come visit our clinic, because after seeing our work, your BP must surely be high.”
