PANAJI
With its much-publicised “Goa First” alliance with Vijai Sardesai’s Goa Forward Party (GFP) appearing increasingly uncertain, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has intensified its election preparations in the State, with party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal holding strategy meetings with leaders, office-bearers and volunteers.
In a statement issued on Thursday, AAP said Kejriwal reviewed the party’s organisational situation in key constituencies, particularly in areas considered BJP strongholds. He addressed volunteer meetings in Cumbharjua and later held organisational discussions with party functionaries in Panaji.
At the Cumbharjua meeting, volunteers conveyed growing public dissatisfaction with the ruling BJP, alleging that promises of change and development had instead resulted in corruption, defections and political betrayal, the statement said.
The party claimed that even voters in traditional BJP strongholds were increasingly viewing AAP as a viable alternative.
In Panaji, Kejriwal urged party office-bearers to strengthen grassroots outreach and focus on booth-level mobilisation. Party leaders discussed strategies to expand AAP’s organisational base and increase voter engagement ahead of the upcoming electoral battles.
Addressing party workers, Kejriwal launched a sharp attack on both the BJP and the Congress. He alleged that Goa’s electorate was frustrated with the two national parties and claimed that a vote for the Congress ultimately benefited the BJP because of repeated defections by Congress legislators.
“Goa has seen governments under both BJP and Congress and people have received only betrayal,” Kejriwal said, adding that AAP remained the only credible alternative in the State.
AAP Goa president Valmiki Naik echoed the criticism and alleged that the BJP had taken its support base for granted by inducting Congress defectors who failed to serve local communities. He claimed that many voters no longer viewed the Congress as a serious opposition force.
AAP organisational secretary Prashant Naik pointed to issues such as high electricity bills, inadequate water supply, poor public transport, unemployment and law-and-order concerns as factors contributing to voter dissatisfaction.
The developments signal AAP’s intention to sharpen its campaign and expand its footprint in Goa, in the face of questions over its alliance with the GFP.
