PANAJI
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has intensified preparations for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat elections, rolling out a two-pronged campaign strategy that combines grassroots outreach with a novel initiative to let citizens draft their own manifestos.
The party had on Monday announced 14 candidates who have already begun door-to-door campaigns in their respective constituencies.
AAP leaders said in a press release on Wednesday that the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with people appreciating the party’s free health camps and issue-based campaigning, while voicing frustration over corruption and “Gundaraj” under the BJP government.
In Benaulim, the sitting ZP member who has been renominated, Joseph Pimenta, expressed confidence in his prospects, saying, “MLA Venzy Viegas and I have been among the people from the day we got elected. I am confident they will make me win with a higher margin.”
Similarly, candidates across constituencies reported strong support, the press release said, quoting Suvarna Harmalkar, its Morjim candidate, as saying that locals were “tired of corruption and Gundaraj” and are welcoming AAP’s honest approach.
Umesh Kauthankar, whom the party has pitted in Sirsaim, noted that people wanted leaders who “work with them, not those who disappear after elections”, while James Fernandes, who has been named to contest Xeldem, said residents are appreciating AAP’s transparent politics and consistent village-level engagement.
On Wednesday, AAP also launched the “Manifesto Meetings” campaign, in which the party said these meetings will be held in every ZP constituency.
At a press conference, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, who was joined by Pimenta (Benaulim), Antonio Leao Fernandes (Colva) and Isaca Fernandes (Velim), announced that for the first time in Goa, people themselves would write the manifesto for their constituency.
“In a democracy, the people are the highest authority. Yet, political manifestos are often drafted inside offices without consulting those who face the problems. Goa belongs to its citizens, not politicians or builders ” so every idea for development must come from the people,” Viegas said.
He explained that each 'manifesto meeting' will document local issues, suggestions and solutions, with all points read out publicly for transparency.
The party urged citizens across Goa ” youth, women’s groups, farmers, fisherfolk and senior citizens ” to participate actively in these meetings.
With emphasis on participatory politics, the ZP elections are an opportunity to put people’s voices at the centre of governance and build a healthier, safer and better Goa, the press release adds.
