Kejriwal courts Cong workers, targets BJP, family raj at Betalbatim rally
A section of the crowd at AAP meeting in Betalbatim on Sunday evening. AAP National convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s intensive campaign for the party candidates culminated in a meeting at Betalbatim village on Sunday evening.
MARGAO
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National convenor Arvind Kejriwal wrapped up his three-day intensive campaign for the Zilla Panchayat elections with a public meeting in the Congress stronghold of Betalbatim, calling upon Congress workers to support and join AAP, asserting that only AAP can defeat the BJP in Goa.
The public meeting, held on Sunday evening, assumed significance as it was organised in support of AAP ZP candidates Antonio Leao Fernandes (Colva) and Joseph Pimenta (Benaulim). The AAP appeared determined not only to retain the Benaulim seat but also to make inroads into Colva and the neighbouring Nuvem constituency in the December 20 election, posing a direct challenge to the Congress leadership.
Making an open appeal to Congress workers and supporters, Arvind Kejriwal 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 raj in Goa, Kejriwal said, “No family should run Goa — be it the Ranes or the Alemaos. Common people of Goa should run Goa.”
Turning his tirade at the ruling BJP, Kejriwal reiterated that the ZP elections are the first step towards ending corruption and building a people-first, honest Goa.
Making a fervent plea to support AAP candidates to bring real change, Kejriwal launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, saying “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”.
He then asked the crowd, “Is it possible to get a job in Goa today without paying a bribe?”
The crowd responded in one voice with a loud ‘No’.
Addressing the gathering, AAP Velim MLA Engr Cruz Silva said, “People want change in Goa — enough is enough. This ZP election are the beginning of that change. Don’t fall for opportunistic alliances. AAP has been with the people from day one and continues to stand with them.”
In his address, AAP Benaulim MLA Capt Venzy Viegas said the elections will be fought purely on work and integrity. “The only thing this election will be fought on is the work done by us in the last 3.5 years. We did not do gundaraj or family raj. Our politics is politics of service. We started free clinics and stood with people when the government failed them.”
AAP Goa President Adv Amit Palekar highlighted AAP’s governance model, stating, “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.”
