PANAJI
As a part of the efforts to restructure the organisation in Goa in the run up to the next Vidhan Sabha elections, AAP Goa leader Elvis Gomes stepped down as the party's state convenor. Senior AAP leader Rahul Mhambre has taken over as the interim convenor.
Addressing the media, Gomes said the decision will help him to work at the grassroots and strengthen the party.
“It is a strategic decision to step down. For four years, I was the convener and now the party’s work can be seen on the ground. Now there are many leaders in the party who can take on the administrative roles. The need is instead to work on the ground and to bring other good people into the party. So I have taken up that responsibility,” he said.
Gomes said that the key leaders will focus on their constituencies and on mobilising party cadre. “I have to lead by example and hence decided to work with the people of my constituency and also to reach out to all other constituencies where my support is required,” he stated.
AAP Goa incharge Prabhari Atishi said “Elvis has been an exceptional leader for the past three years, he has been on the forefront of all the issues that were of concern to Goans. The party is grateful for his leadership. We are confident that Rahul will perform his duties as an interim convenor efficiently while we reorganise the teams over the next few months”.
His decision to step down comes barely weeks after the party’s general secretary in the state Pradeep Padgaonkar also stepped down on health grounds after he contracted Covid-19 and needed hospitalisation.
Gomes said that the two resignations despite coming within weeks of each other were not connected.
“There is no connection between the two resignations,” he said.
