PANAJI
The Aam Aadmi Party in the State got a big boost in North Goa when a key leader from Shirgao-Mayem and Bhandari Samaj activist Upendra Gaonkar joined the party on Thursday.
Gaonkar was welcomed into the party by Social Welfare Minister in the Kejriwal government Adv Rajendra Pal Gautam. Gaonkar a civil Contractor by profession is well-known for his work in the Bahujan Samaj and is the General Secretary of the Gomantak Bhandari Samaj since 2012. He is also the Secretary of the Gomantak Bahujan Mahasang (OBC,ST,SC).
Gaonkar is also involved in many social and religious organisations. Hailing from Shirgao, Gaonkar has joined AAP at a time when the party is expanding it's footprint all over Goa and has set the tone for the upcoming elections with the BJP and other parties desperately playing catch up.
Gaonkar stated that he was impressed by the work done by AAP especially in helping the weaker sections of society. He also lauded the work of AAP in the education sector and in ensuring youth are employable, something that Goan youth are sorely missing.
Stating that the BJP had failed Goa during the pandemic, Gaonkar pointed out at how Goans are suffering due to the economic slowdown due to the pandemic.
"AAP has done amazing work during Covid. The BJP government today is not just of BJP, but an alliance of BJP and Congress that has united to loot Goenkars. Today only AAP stands as an opposition to them in the entire country whether it is Punjab, Uttarkhand or Goa", Gaonkar said.
Speaking on the occasion, Adv Gautam said, "AAP being a party that has grown from an andolan has now revolutionised politics of India. Along with politics we have also revolutionised the lives of the common man. Free 24/7 power, free 24/7 water, healthcare and education are everyone's rights".
AAP Goa Convenor Rahul Mhambre said, "the AAP model has won the hearts of Goans across the State. Many Goans including important social workers like Gaonkar are joining the party. I am very happy today that Gaonkar has joined us after seeing the Kejriwal model".
Gaonkar's joining comes at the time when AAP is rising as the only credible option for Goans. AAP set the cat amongst the pigeons in Goa when AAP National Convenor and Delhi CM announced that upon coming to power AAP will give up to 300 units of free electricity in the state while ensuring 24x7 constant power supply. 87% people of Goa will get zero bills due to this policy, a version of which is already active in Delhi.
The BJP government at first was defiant saying they would never offer any freebies but was forced to backtrack as Sawant recently announced free water for Goans from September 1, he said.
