Arvind Kejriwal’s grand public meeting at Betalbatim, venue packed with supporters

Goa Khabar : A grand public meeting was held at Betalbatim, addressed by AAP National Convenor Shri Arvind Kejriwal, in support of AAP Zilla Panchayat candidates Antonio Leao Fernandes (Colva) and Joseph Pimenta (Benaulim). The large turnout reflected growing public anger against corruption and increasing faith in AAP’s service-based politics.

Addressing the gathering, AAP MLA Engr. Cruz Silva said, “People want change in Goa — enough is enough. These ZP elections are the beginning of that change. Don’t fall for opportunistic alliances. AAP has been with the people from day one and continues to stand with them.”

AAP MLA Capt. Venzy Viegas said the elections will be fought purely on work and integrity. “The only thing this election will be fought on is the work done by us in the last 3.5 years. We did not do gundaraj or familyraj. Our politics is politics of service. We started free clinics and stood with people when the government failed them.”

AAP Goa President Adv. Amit Palekar highlighted AAP’s governance model, stating, “The work done by our MLAs in Benaulim and Velim is AAP’s Goa Model — healthcare close to home, better roads, no gundaraj and no hafta. We will take this model to the entire state. I want to tell the previous MLA — come visit our clinic, because after seeing our work, your BP must surely be high.”

Launching a sharp attack on the BJP government, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Goa was once known as the best tourist destination. Today, it is known for the Arpora incident. From top to bottom — officers to ministers — everyone knew about the illegal club. Such clubs run because they pay hafta. This is a hafta vasoli sarkar.”

Kejriwal then asked the gathered crowd, “Is it possible to get a job in Goa today without paying a bribe?”

The crowd responded in one voice with a loud ‘No’, clearly reflecting the depth of corruption and the loss of faith in the current system.

He further added, “If a common man wants to start a small shop, it becomes impossible. But illegal businesses are allowed freely if bribes are paid. Other parties’ MLAs earn crores once elected, but AAP’s MLAs are islands of hope. The people of Benaulim and Velim know their MLAs are honest and non-corrupt.”

Addressing Congress workers and supporters, Arvind Kejriwal said, “I want to openly welcome all Congress workers and supporters who are fed up with the repeated collusion of Congress with the BJP. If you truly want to defeat the BJP and bring honest governance to Goa, only AAP can do it. This fight is not about parties, it is about saving Goa.”

Attacking familyraj in Goa, Kejriwal said, “No family should run Goa — be it the Ranes or the Alemaos. Common people of Goa should run Goa.”

AAP reiterated that the ZP elections are the first step towards ending corruption and building a people-first, honest Goa, and appealed to voters to support AAP candidates to bring real change.