Drive against bad roads gathers steam in Margao despite threats

AAP volunteers protesting at the Margao Municipal garden over threats issued to party volunteers during the #BJPCheBurak signature campaign.

MARGAO
A day after attempts were made to put spoke in the ongoing #BJPCheBurak signature drive in Margao, Aam Aadmi Party volunteers led by State chief Amit Palekar descended in large numbers in the commercial capital to take the campaign forward.

Armed with party flags, the AAP volunteers led by party chief Amit Palekar descended at Moti Dongor to express their solidarity with the AAP volunteers, who were reportedly intimidated by a BJP worker on Wednesday during the signature campaign.

AAP volunteers first assembled near the Margao Municipal garden before proceeding to the Margao police station to lodge a complaint against one Maulana for threatening the two AAP volunteers who had participated in the signature campaign on Moti Dongor. From the Margao police station, the team of AAP volunteers headed to Moti Dongor, the stronghold of Margao MLA and PWD Minister Digambar Kamat to reassure volunteers that the party stands solidly behind them.

The AAP Goa president slammed the BJP for failing to provide safe roads. “For four years we kept demanding pothole-free roads, but the BJP government did nothing. The moment we launched #BJPCheBurak, they rushed to fill a few potholes. This is proof of BJP’s failed governance. Instead of threatening AAP volunteers, file cases against corrupt contractors and PWD engineers. Because of their negligence, Goans are suffering and even losing lives,” Palekar said.

AAP Working President Gerson Gomes said volunteers were facing threats not just in Margao, but also in Sanquelim and Calangute. “BJP keeps shouting ’27 in 2027.’ If they’re so confident of winning 27 seats, why are they scared of our volunteers? This only shows BJP is rattled by AAP’s growing strength,” he said.

AAP leader Sandesh Telekar Dessai added that intimidation will not work. “Top BJP leaders tried the same in Delhi, but AAP never bowed down. In Goa too, we will go door-to-door and expose BJP’s corruption. If they dare, let them try to stop us,” he declared.