Arvind Kejriwal addresses volunteers in North Goa; says, This time Goa’s system will change

Goa Khabar : In a charged address to Aam Aadmi Party volunteers in North Goa, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal tore into Goa’s political establishment, declaring that “this time Goa’s system will change.” The AAP Chief affirmed that for the past 60 years, the state has been held hostage by “the same 13-14 families from both parties who have controlled Goa’s politics, contested every election, and entrenched themselves in power.” 

During this, former Delhi CM and Goa in-charge Atishi, Goa President Amit Palekar, MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva, General Secretary Organisation Shrikrishna Parab, senior leaders of Goa, and volunteers were also present.

Addressing a massive gathering of AAP volunteers in North Goa, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal declared that Goa stood at a decisive moment in history — one where people must choose between sixty years of family rule and a new era of honest, people-driven governance. “My heart is filled with happiness seeing such a large gathering today,” he said. “Yesterday in South Goa, the hall was packed; today again, this hall is overflowing. This is a sign that the people of Goa have made up their minds for change.”

Drawing attention to Goa’s crumbling infrastructure, Arvind Kejriwal asked, “While we were coming here, the roads were in terrible condition. Thousands of crores are spent on Goa’s budget every year — where has all that money gone? Someone told me a road was built recently and broke within three months. How can that happen?” He contrasted this with the AAP government’s record in Punjab, saying, “There, 18,000 kilometres of world-class roads are being built, each with a five-year guarantee. If a road breaks, the contractor repairs it for free. That’s what an honest government looks like — one that earns the people’s love and trust, not money.”

The AAP Chief highlighted the state’s worsening water crisis. “It’s been 13 years of BJP rule, and Goans still depend on water tankers. God gave Goa everything — rivers, mountains, trees, scenic beauty — but He left out one thing: good politicians. Goa’s politicians have looted everything God gave.” He accused the BJP of turning Goa into a state of illegal construction, crime, and unemployment. “Illegal mining continues. Crimes against women rise. Our youth sit jobless. Tourism has collapsed. If you raise your voice, they threaten or beat you up — like they did to Rama Kankonkar. They rule through fear and goondaism.”

Calling for a systemic overhaul, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Goa’s political system is rotten to the core. For 60 years, the same few families have held 20 lakh people captive. Earlier their grandfathers ruled, then their sons, now their grandsons. Why can’t ordinary Goans contest elections? Are Goans fools?” He alleged that these families have treated politics as personal property: “Today one person moves from BJP to Congress, tomorrow another goes the other way. It’s one joint business — they loot turn by turn.”

He warned that Goa’s resources were being monopolised by political dynasties and outsiders. “All of Goa’s businesses and government contracts are with them. Land that once belonged to Goans is being sold off. When locals protest, they’re beaten or jailed. This system must be uprooted. Goa’s hills, rivers, forests, and land belong to Goans — not to these families.”

Comparing AAP’s politics of service with the BJP’s politics of fear, Arvind Kejriwal said, “We are collecting donations and opening clinics for people even without a government. The BJP, despite being in power and having thousands of crores, hasn’t done it because they don’t care for you. Their politics is based on corruption and division — Hindu versus Muslim, fear and intimidation. The Aam Aadmi Party stands for service, honesty, and welfare.”

Arvind Kejriwal urged the people of Goa to take responsibility for their future. “Politics is a means to serve people — and we will continue to serve you. But real change must come from you. God helps those who help themselves. Next time, we will hold a massive rally of 2 million AAP volunteers in Goa. We don’t want to fight anyone — we want to win hearts.”

AAP Goa In-charge Atishi said the people of Goa had had enough of BJP’s 13 years of “gunda-raj”. “The assault on Rama Kankonkar is proof of BJP’s goondaism. From panchayats to cities, their goons threaten citizens into silence. Goa’s youth have no jobs; the state is plagued by gang wars and drugs. Even in reputed institutions like BITS Pilani, students are dying due to drugs,” she said. “When people raise issues like water supply, roads, or power cuts, BJP leaders threaten them. When AAP launched a signature campaign against bad roads, BJP ministers threatened our volunteers — but they did not back down.”

Atishi reminded people that Goa had rejected BJP in 2017 and 2022, but Congress helped it return to power. “Our two MLAs, Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva, have shown integrity by standing firm despite BJP’s offers. They embody honest politics.” She appealed to Goans to “give AAP a chance in 2027 to end BJP’s goondaraj once and for all,” saying, “We must free people from fear and rebuild Goa.”

AAP Goa President Amit Palekar added, “Goa was freed from the Salazar regime long ago, but today 14 families continue to rule. We must reclaim Goa from them and make it a state that truly belongs to its people.”

AAP MLA Venzy Viegas said, “There’s no water in our taps, no 24-hour electricity in our homes. The government has snatched basic services from Goans while a few families enriched themselves through loot. We must unite to end this family raj and goondaraj in the next elections.”

AAP MLA Cruz Silva asserted, “Goa has seen every party — BJP, Congress, others — but all have been run by the same families. We must free Goa from their clutches and form a people’s government in 2027.”

Concluding the event, AAP General Secretary (Organisation) Shrikrishna Parab said, “A handful of families have seized Goa’s resources. This fight is not just for AAP — it is for every Goan who believes this land should belong to its people.”