PANAJI
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday sent cakes to 10 MLAs across the State, to mark two years of their defection from the Congress party to join the ruling BJP party and also identified persons to take charge and strengthen the party in 20 assembly constituencies across the State.
The cake-distribution ceremony was part of the second phase of ‘Let’s Clean Goan Politics’ campaign, which was launched by AAP leader and Delhi MLA Atishi Marlena. Pictures of the merged logos of the “hand” and “lotus” with the “Congress Janata Party” label were printed on the cakes.
Addressing a news conference in the city, Atishi said Goans had given a mandate against the BJP and when 10 MLAs shifted from the Congress to join the BJP it was betrayal of the people of Goa.
“To mark this betrayal by the 10 MLAs, AAP members presented cakes to the defected MLAs to show them that people still remember this betrayal. People feel that if they vote for Congress or BJP, the votes finally go only to the BJP,” said Atishi.
“While these MLAs claim they shifted for development, but no development is seen in their constituencies.”
Atishi said the ‘Let’s Clean Goan Politics’ was a campaign by the people of Goa as they wanted Goan politics to change and believe that AAP is the only option in Goa.
“This similar demonstration of the blatant imbalance of power that BJP attempts to hold over their rival party members has been observed in other states around India, including the national capital, Delhi. On multiple occasions, BJP members have harassed and put pressure on AAP MLAs to join BJP, but we have held strong,” Atishi said.
Atishi further said, “The people of Goa demand for change and their efforts have not paid off. At AAP, we started the campaign to raise awareness about the betrayal and to work towards ending the legacy of corruption. With over 70,000 pledges made in the past 10 days, we want to end the power play and clean up Goan politics for the citizens of Goa and their future generations.”
The AAP also identified persons to take charge of 20 assembly constituencies in the State. They are Vikesh Asotikar (Pernem), Rakesh Bondre (Tivim), Rahul Mhambre (Mapusa), Sandeep Pednekar (Saligao), Manual Cardoso (Calangute), Vignesh Apte (Porvorim), Bruno Fernandes (Aldona), Valmiki Naik (Panaji), Cecille Rodrigues (Taleigao), Adv Sushma Bandekar (Priol), Shubham Chimulkar (Valpoi), Adv Surel Tilve (Ponda), Cyril Baptista (Nuvem), Sandesh Telekar (Fatorda), Capt Venzy Viegas (Benaulim), Pratima Coutinho (Navelim), Cruz Silva (Velim), Patricia Fernandes (Quepem), Gabriel Fernandes (Curtorim) and Jovisha Gawli (Sanguem).
They have been entrusted with the task of strengthening the party at the booth level and across their respective constituencies.
“This is an important milestone for the AAP in Goa as this will take the party to the grassroots all over the State,” said Atishi.
Atishi also said the AAP has presence in all villages in the State, with the party declaring an in-charge and co-incharge in all 191 panchayats.
The AAP leader also stated that leaders, Prashant Naik, Vikesh Asotikar and Joel Fernandes had joined the party.
