MARGAO
Leaders of the INDI Alliance on Tuesday strongly rallied behind the Aam Aadmi Party as AAP candidate Joseph Pimenta filed his nomination papers for the June 23 by-poll for the Benaulim Zilla Panchayat.
In a clear indication that the Opposition does not want to disturb the INDI Alliance following the success in the recently held Lok Sabha polls for the South Goa seat, top leaders of the INDI Alliance led by Opposition leader Yuri Alemao, Goa Forward senior leader Durgadas Kamat, besides top AAP brass led by party president Amit Palekar, MLA Venzy Viegas, Valmiki Naik and others descended at the South Goa Collectorate to accompany Joseph Pimenta to the office of the Returning Officer to file nomination.
That the INDI Alliance leaders held their hands in unison just before Pimenta went to submit their nomination papers indicated that the leaders are all for the Alliance to continue in Goa at least till the 2027 Assembly elections.
Amidst signs of resentment amongst Congress workers over leaving the Benaulim Zilla Panchayat seat to the Aam Aadmi Party to contest the June 23 by-poll, Opposition leader said the cadre needs to understand that the Alliance was stitched in the spirit of saving Democracy, the Constitution and Goa from the corrupt BJP government. “The need of the hour is to unite and avert multi-cornered contests, which will only help the BJP. We have to leave behind our differences. We have to sacrifice in the interest of the State,” Yuri said.
He added: “Everyone has the right to contest, but Congress has decided to back Pimenta under the INDI Alliance banner. The alliance formulae need to be adopted across the country. In all future elections, we should fight together.”
Goa Forward leader Durgadas Kamat reminded that party chief Vijai Sardesai had been insisting on unity of Opposition forces under Team Goa since 2019. “We have come together under the INDI Alliance banner in the larger interest of the State. The BJP is trying to divide the people on caste and communal lies,” Durgadas said.
AAP Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas told the media that all the Alliance partners are behind the AAP candidate for the Benaulim by-poll. “This is a show of strength in favour of the INDI Alliance. People of Goa know for sure that we should not split any vote. Let us all stand united and vote for Joseph Pimenta,” Venzy appealed.
AAP State convenor Amit Palekar profusely thanked the leaders of the Alliance partners for extending their support to the AAP candidate for the Benaulim by-poll.
