PANAJI
Political tensions between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress escalated further in Goa on Tuesday, with both parties trading sharp accusations of covertly aiding the ruling BJP. While AAP accused the Congress of enabling the BJP government and indulging in selective opposition, the Congress countered by questioning AAP’s political motives and alleged favouritism.
Both the parties have been engaged in verbal spat following AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s statement that BJP and Congress are a team and that AAP would not like to form any alliance with Indian National Congress.
On Tuesday, addressing a press conference, AAP leaders said that an alliance with Congress is not in the interest of the people of Goa alleging that the party has historically supported the BJP in the state and engaged in backdoor dealings.
“We never opposed Congress and even helped them win the South Goa MP seat. But an alliance with them isn’t in people’s interest. Congress aided BJP in 1999 and continues to support them, as Rahul Gandhi admitted in Gujarat,” AAP leader Valmiki Naik said.
Naik also pointed out, “BJP claims to have 33 MLAs, but at least 22 to 23 are strong Congress leaders. Congress leaders make up two-thirds of today’s government. I am not supporting defection, but these are the facts. The Goa Congress unit is helping BJP come to power repeatedly, against people wish.”
AAP Goa President Amit Palekar alleged that Congress Goa chief Amit Patkar received preferential treatment from the government, claiming he was gifted thousands of tonnes of iron ore by CM Pramod Sawant, raising questions of favoritism and backdoor deals.
On the other hand, AICC Goa In-charge Manikrao Thakare appealed to AAP to clarify whether it intends to contest elections against the BJP or Congress and also criticized what he called AAP’s attempts to undermine Congress.
“They are just trying to stir up trouble for the Congress Party. What is their agenda? Do you really want to help the BJP or not help the BJP? Are AAP fighting against BJP or Congress? Let them clarify this first,” he said.
Thakare questions Kejriwal’s intention behind making baseless statements in Goa and trying to mislead the public. “Why did Kejriwal come here and say what he said? Is he aligned with the BJP? Is he trying to join hands with the BJP and disturb Congress during elections? He came to Goa to change opinions and attitudes, trying to mislead the public by making baseless accusations against our leadership,” he said.
