Goa Zila Panchayat Election: Ahead of the Goa Zilla Panchayat elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal addressed a large public meeting in Chimbel on Saturday in support of party candidate Maria Cristalina Anto. Prior to the meeting, Kejriwal also participated in a door-to-door campaign in the area. Goa in-charge Atishi, state president Amit Palekar, and several senior party leaders were present at the event.
Goa Zila Panchayat Election: AAP attacks Congress and BJP
Addressing the gathering, Arvind Kejriwal said that voting for the Congress would be meaningless, as its candidates often join the BJP after winning elections. He claimed that even the BJP is aware of this trend. Kejriwal alleged that despite public demands for basic amenities such as electricity, water, and community centres, the government has failed to deliver. He described Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s administration as a “government of extortion” and blamed it for the Arpora nightclub fire, calling the incident a result of corruption.
Goa Zila Panchayat Election: ‘Wave of Change’ in Goa
Kejriwal said the Aam Aadmi Party is receiving overwhelming support from the people of Goa and that a wave of change is sweeping across the state. He claimed that such a large crowd had never been seen at a Zilla Panchayat election meeting before. Drawing an analogy, he said that if someone does not come to ask for votes, they clearly do not respect the voters or their mandate. The AAP chief said he had come all the way from Delhi to seek votes for the party in the Zilla Panchayat elections scheduled for December 20. He pointed out that no senior leader from either the Congress or the BJP had visited Goa to campaign for these elections. According to him, other parties value a voter’s choice at just “80 paise,” while for AAP, every vote is priceless. He also highlighted his door-to-door interactions in Anjuna, stating that senior leaders of other parties never engage directly with voters. Referring to the Arpora nightclub fire, Kejriwal said Goa was once known globally for tourism, but is now associated with corruption-related tragedies. He alleged that the nightclub was operating illegally without proper permissions and licenses. Despite this, authorities failed to take action. He accused the Sawant government of allowing widespread bribery across departments, leading to illegal activities flourishing in the state.
Goa Zila Panchayat Election: Unemployment in Goa and Punjab Model
Kejriwal said educated youth in Goa are struggling with unemployment and that government jobs are not possible without recommendations or bribes. Citing the example of Punjab, he said the AAP government has provided over 55,000 government jobs in three years purely on merit. He claimed that similar transparent governance could be brought to Goa if the people give AAP a chance. The AAP leader also criticized the poor condition of roads in Goa, pointing out that even the road outside the Chief Minister’s office is filled with potholes. He questioned how the government could improve roads across the state when it had failed to repair the one outside its own office. Kejriwal said that AAP’s two MLAs in Goa have remained honest and have not taken commissions or bribes. He noted that the party’s leaders have opened free clinics using donations and personal funds to provide medical treatment and medicines to the public. He emphasized that AAP entered politics to serve people, not to accumulate wealth or power.
Arvind Kejriwal warns against voting for Congress
Kejriwal warned voters not to repeat past mistakes by supporting Congress candidates who later defect to the BJP. He urged people to vote for the Aam Aadmi Party if they want an honest, hardworking, and people-centric government.
Goa Elections: Atishi attacks BJP, says “One Vote Shapes Five Years”
Addressing the gathering, Goa in-charge Atishi said the Zila Panchayat elections on December 20 are crucial, as a single vote impacts the next five years of development. She warned voters against falling for money or threats during elections and said wrong choices lead to long-term regret.
Atishi alleged that the BJP’s 13-year rule in Goa has resulted in corruption, unemployment, and fear among citizens. She claimed that people are afraid to raise issues due to intimidation. She also highlighted cases where even basic services require bribes. Atishi pointed out that despite not being in power, the Aam Aadmi Party has opened free clinics across Goa to serve the public. She said this shows the party’s commitment to governance and welfare, even without holding office.
