PANAJI
Aam Aadmi Party’s “Veez Andolan” that was launched December 1 has evoked very good response with a large number of people including women attending the four meetings held at Benaulim, Sancoale, Carambolim and Saligao.
The meetings were interactive and the crowd actively participated in the discussion listing out their problems and issues and lamenting that no political party till date has worked for the common people.
People who had come with their electricity bills said they wanted uninterrupted power provided at a cheap rate like Delhi. One lady at Sancoale asked why they should be burdened with huge bills when they do not get uninterrupted electricity, and the power they receive fluctuates so often that electrical implements like television sets get corrupted.
Interestingly the majority of the audience were women who had come with their house electricity bills.
“Usually it's the women who handle the accounts of a home, hence they understand the impact these high bills have on their lives,” said AAP Goa Convenor Rahul Mhambre.
One person at Carambolim while berating BJP and Congress for fooling the people every time said he was impressed with what Arvind Kejriwal has done in Goa, and added that it was time for Goans to give AAP a chance to bring about drastic changes in administration.
Most of the people said they wanted free power supply for using up to 200 units of power per month and a rebate of 50 per cent for those using 200 units to 400 units of power per month. “If Delhi government can do it why cannot the BJP government do it in Goa,” asked one man in Benaulim who pointed out that BJP was offering 100 units of free power supply in Hyderabad.
A referendum was conducted via a ballot system regarding the electricity issue where people actively participated. The crowd said they wanted power to be provided like the Delhi model and asserted that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant must listen to Goans instead of his party leaders from Delhi.
The people also demanded that CM Sawant should listen to Goans and not his party bosses based in Delhi.
The Veez Andolan will be held in 2 phases during which time AAP plans to have 200 corner meetings besides visiting houses in the village to elicit public opinion.
