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Kejriwal appeals to BJP, Congress voters to vote for AAP for the ‘sake of Goa’s future’

‘It is the BJP, and not the AAP that is the real Delhi-centric party,’ says the AAP national convenor

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Mumbai: Soon after making his candidates sign legal affidavits pledging not to ‘betray’ the Goan electorate, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener and New Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the supporters and voters of other political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, to vote for the AAP in the upcoming Goa Assembly polls for the sake of future of Goa. 

The AAP national convener is on a four-day tour of poll-bound Goa, refuted Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) claims of the AAP being a ‘Delhi-based’ party, arguing that the AAP in Goa was run by Goans and not by anyone in Delhi.  

Speaking to newspersons in Panaji on Thursday, “I am not asking supporters and voters of BJP, Congress or any other party to join the AAP. Please remain in your respective parties, but for your own sakes, of that of your family and the future of Goa, vote for AAP this one time.” 

He said that whatever benefits the AAP government would give the Goan public if it came to power, be it 24 hours electricity, quality education and healthcare, BJP and Congress supporters would also get them. Kejriwal further remarked that it was the BJP, and not the AAP, which was a true ‘Delhi-centric’ party given that Goa’s BJP Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant was always visiting Delhi.  

Kejriwal further queried, “How many times has Amit Palekar (AAP’s Goa Chief Ministerial candidate) visited Delhi? Barely a couple of times. In contrast, Goa’s BJP CM Dr Pramod Sawant keeps on visiting Delhi frequently to get work done for Goa…so, from where does the BJP operate, Goa or Delhi?”

He further remarked that the AAP would replicate its successful Delhi model in Goa in terms of electricity, healthcare, education and employment opportunities if it came to power and that all decisions would be taken by Goans in Goa.

Kejriwal said that the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, despite having ruled Goa for 15 years and 25 years respectively at various periods in time, had not done anything for the State nor had any plan or constructive agenda for Goa. The AAP leader also appealed to the voters of smaller parties like the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and the Goa Forward Party (GFP) to vote for the AAP and not split opposition votes.  

Kejriwal further remarked, “If you vote for the AAP, you will see a change in the State,” he said, remarking that the current BJP cabinet was replete with scam-tainted ministers. The Delhi CM further remarked that while the Congress had ruled Goa for several years, the party had now turned into a “feeder cadre” for the BJP. “People who get elected on a Congress ticket eventually switch over to BJP.”  

He further added that the AAP had already handed over power to the Goan electorate in that they could take AAP candidates to court if they defected to other parties. 

The Delhi Chief Minister accused the BJP leadership of allegedly ‘protecting’ the Congress by not prosecuting the latter’s leadership over the rampant mining scam that had hit Goa a decade ago which led to the halting of mining activities. 

Kejriwal further contended, “The BJP came to power in 2012 by alleging that the Congress government had indulged in rampant corruption in mining. Despite the 2012 Shah Commission’s report which had alleged that Goa’s mining scam was worth nearly Rs. 35,000 crores, the BJP government has taken no action against the Congress leaders. Hence, they have protected Congress leaders.”

He said the BJP was openly claiming that they will form the government in the State even if it wins eight seats. “Can anybody get more audacious than this?” he asked. 

The Goa Assembly election is scheduled on February 14 and the results are to be declared on March 10. The AAP is contesting all 40 Assembly seats in the State.

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