Arvind Kejriwal inaugurates AAP office in Goa’s Mayem; says, People of Goa are ready for change

Goa Khabar : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday inaugurated the party’s state office in Mayem, Goa, declaring that the people of the state are fed up with the BJP-Congress nexus and are ready to vote for change under AAP’s leadership. Accompanied by Goa in-charge Atishi on his three-day visit, the AAP Chief said Goans showered the BJP with love but in return received broken roads, crumbling schools and hospitals, and rampant gundaraj.

The AAP Supremo added that for decades, a dozen families tied to both Congress and BJP have captured Goa and looted its people, while the BJP even failed to deliver on its promise of land ownership rights. Appealing to Goans to give AAP a chance to form the government, Arvind Kejriwal assured, “We will ensure ownership rights on land for every citizen.” During this AAP Goa In-charge Atishi, Goa State President Amit Palekar, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, Goa General Secretary Organisation Shrikrishna Parab, National Spokesperson Valmiki Naik, and local leaders from the state were present.

Arvind Kejriwal took to X and shared snippets from the event and wrote: “Inaugurated the AAP Mayem Office in Goa today. This office will be a hub to strengthen the party in the region and deepen our connect with the local community. AAP volunteers here will always be ready to support and serve the people of Goa.”

Inaugurating the AAP office in Mayem, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said, “Today I am extremely happy that an Aam Aadmi Party office is opening in Mayem. This is your office. AAP is your party. Do not consider it merely a party office. If you face any problem, come to this office. We will do our best to resolve your issues.”

The AAP Chief highlighted how ordinary people struggle with basic government tasks. “A poor person has to get a ration card, Aadhaar card, voter card, caste certificate, income certificate. When you go to government offices, you don’t know whom to meet, what to do, which form to fill. Come to our office, we will get your work done without bribes,” he said, as the crowd broke into applause.

Arvind Kejriwal explained that the AAP office would also help people access welfare schemes. “There are so many government schemes – Griha Laxmi Yojana and many others. But poor people do not know how to apply, which form to fill, or whom to approach. Come to our office and we will inform you of all schemes and ensure you get their benefits,” he said.

On local issues, he assured that AAP would stand with the people. “If your area does not get water, or your roads are broken, or there are problems with electricity – come to our office. Together with you, we will raise our voice and get the work done. And even if you have no work, you can come here just to have tea and chat,” he said warmly.

Arvind Kejriwal also announced that in two weeks, AAP will open a clinic in Mayem to provide free healthcare. “For small illnesses like fever, cough, or cold, private doctors charge high fees and medicines are costly. We will open a wonderful clinic where doctor consultation will be free, medicines will be free, and all tests will be free,” he declared.

The AAP Supremo underlined that AAP is delivering services even without being in power. “We are doing this without having a government here, without an MLA. Imagine how much development Goa can see when AAP forms the government and has MLAs,” he said.

Turning to the BJP’s 25-year dominance in Mayem, he challenged the people to name one achievement. “You have given the BJP your love and votes for 25 years. But what have they given you in return? Roads are broken, youth have no jobs, if you raise your voice, you are threatened with goondaism. There are no hospitals. Every time they change candidates, one loots and then the next one takes over,” said the AAP head.

On the issue of land rights, Arvind Kejriwal reminded people of the 2014 Abolition Act. “In 2014, it was promised that the land you occupy would be given to you with ownership rights. Till today, this has not happened. Recently, CM Pramod Sawant said this land belongs to the government and will be used for government work. This is a betrayal. We promise you that the AAP will fight for your ownership rights. If Pramod Sawant dares to deny them, AAP will bring his government down brick by brick. Every AAP leader and worker will fight for your rights,” he asserted.

Arvind Kejriwal also took potshots at CM Pramod Sawant’s reported plan to field his wife from Mayem. “On the one hand, they snatch away your land rights, and on the other, they have the audacity to push his wife as a candidate. Out of Goa’s 20 lakh population, did they find only his wife to contest? Why can’t an ordinary Goan woman contest? When AAP gave a ticket, we chose Venzy Viegas, a common man – not someone’s son, wife, or relative,” he said.

He pointed out that both BJP and Congress are promoting dynastic politics. “For the last 60 years, only 13–14 families have controlled Goa’s politics. Earlier their grandfathers contested, then their sons, then their grandsons, now their wives and brothers. They contest not for people, but for their families, to loot Goa. Whether Congress or BJP, they are the same. They switch parties but keep the loot intact. They run all the mines, big contracts, and businesses. If you raise your voice, they send goons to silence you,” the AAP Chief said, calling for a change in the system itself.

Arvind Kejriwal asked, “Should Goa’s resources belong to these families or to the people? These resources – our forests, rivers, land, and mines – should fund schools, hospitals, and roads. Instead, they are looted and the money is sent abroad. This system must change. This election, do not just change parties, change the system itself.”

Narrating an incident from his flight to Goa, Arvind Kejriwal said a fellow passenger told him BJP and Congress were indistinguishable. “He told me that Congress’ Goa president Amit Patkar’s mines run with the CM’s blessings. Without CM Pramod Sawant’s support, mines cannot operate. So both parties are the same. They loot together and fool the people,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, senior AAP leader and Goa In-charge Atishi said, “Goa is perhaps the most beautiful state in the country, famous for its beaches, forests, fields, rivers, and mountains. But the BJP’s 13 years of government have given Goa nothing but gundaraj, gang wars, and unemployment. CM Pramod Sawant recently said that the youth don’t want jobs, but this is not the fault of the youth – it is the government’s failure. Every day the media reports gang wars, crimes against women, student deaths from drugs, and pothole-ridden roads,”

Atishi noted, “In the past two months alone, more than 30 people have died in road accidents because two-wheelers slip on potholes. The CM himself admitted in the Assembly that 50% of road deaths are due to potholes. Goa’s people deserve much better – they deserve a far better government.”

Speaking about the public’s plight, Atishi said that the people of Goa fear their elected representatives instead of relying on them. “When people approach MLAs or ministers with complaints about electricity, water, or roads, they are threatened. In Goa, people fear their MLAs. In Delhi, our constituents come to us without fear because they elected us. If our roads are broken, people directly come to our offices to demand repairs,” she said.

She highlighted AAP’s state-wide signature campaign against poor roads. “Across Goa, more than one lakh people signed our petition demanding road repairs. People were afraid that MLAs would threaten them, but even then, AAP workers made this campaign successful. These signatures will be handed over to the CM,” she declared.

Atishi also revealed the intimidation faced by AAP during the Mayem office launch. “For the past week, the local MLA has been sending police, threatening panchayat members, and calling people to warn them that if they attend AAP’s programme, they will face consequences. Yet, the overwhelming presence of people here in Mayem shows that Goans are no longer afraid. They want change,” she said.

Looking ahead, the AAP Goa In-charge asserted that Goa is on the brink of transformation. “In 2027, Goans will throw BJP, gundaraj, and threats out of power. Today, AAP is emerging as the hope of the people of Goa. With the support AAP is receiving, we are confident that in 2027, AAP will form the government in Goa and bring about real change,” Atishi said.

AAP Goa President Amit Palekar said, “Today, the BJP government tried multiple times to stop this office from opening, but we have succeeded. This office is not just a building—it is a symbol of the growing footprint of the AAP in Goa. Our graph is rising so high that even opposition parties are attacking us. This only proves that AAP is getting stronger every day, and we will form the government in Goa in 2027. We will bring the true model of politics of work to the people.”

“We will take the successful governance model of Benaulim and Velim to every corner of Goa. The honest and service-oriented work being done by our MLAs in these constituencies will become the blueprint for Goa’s future,” asserted the AAP Goa President.

AAP MLA from Benaulim Venzy Viegas said, “This BJP government is a government built on the export of Congress MLAs into the BJP. In 2022, the Aam Aadmi Party had two MLAs in Goa, and today, we still have those two MLAs. We have never betrayed the people of Goa and will always stand firmly with them. We now appeal to the people of Goa—give us just one chance, and together we will bring true change in the state.”

AAP Goa General Secretary Organisation Shrikrishna Parab said, “Today marks the beginning of a revolution of the AAP in Mayem. With the inauguration of this office, the people of Mayem will now have access to a full-fledged MLA office. All types of public services will be available here. We assure the people of Mayem that they will no longer have to run from table to table at an MLA’s office or government office to get their work done—every service will now be provided right here in Mayem.”

AAP National Spokesperson Valmiki Naik said, “I sincerely thank everyone who came to attend this office opening, despite the threats from BJP workers trying to stop you. Your presence here today, at the request of Shrikrishna Parab and Rajesh Kalangutkar, shows true courage. You have proven that the people of Goa do not fear the BJP’s gundaraj.”