PANAJI
Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Amit Palekar formally joined the Congress in Goa on Friday, marking a significant political shift after his abrupt exit from AAP recently.
Palekar, who was unceremoniously removed as AAP’s State president following the party’s poor performance in the Zilla Panchayat polls, was welcomed into the Congress fold at a function attended by AICC Goa desk in charge Manikrao Thakare and senior State leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, Palekar said he has not sought any position in the party.
“I am ready to take up any responsibility assigned to me by the Congress. My commitment is to serve the people of Goa through the party platform,” he declared.
Palekar’s entry is seen as a boost for the Congress, which has been working to strengthen its base ahead of the 2027 electoral battle.
Palekar, a lawyer by profession, had been projected by AAP as a Chief Ministerial face from the Bhandari community during the 2022 Assembly elections but the gamble did not pay the expected dividends and he himself faced defeat in the St Cruz constituency.
AAP however appointed him as the State president, a position he held until his removal after the Zilla Panchayat setback. He then resigned from the party itself and now joined the Congress.
Thakare said the Congress remains open to welcoming leaders committed to its ideology and to the cause of Goa.
