Goa Aam Aadmi Party while felicitating some villagers who played a major role in the agitation at Melauli against the IIT project proposed there also extended their full support to the people and demanded that the government immediately settle the land issue that is prevalent in different parts of Goa.
AAP MLA Raghav Chadha along with party leaders from Goa today visited Melauli village and met the protestors there where he extended to them Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal’s good wishes and said AAP will be with them throughout their struggle.
“Your agitation has not only stirred the people of Goa or India but has gained world attention as you have shown arrogant government and power ministers their rightful place in a democracy where the people’s power reigns supreme,” he said.
He said AAP stood by the people in their fight against their present MLA who has ignored the people’s wishes and tried to force them to accept what he wanted and praised the people for resisting this autocratic attitude.
“Land issue is seen in different parts of Goa where people are demanding that the land cultivated by them in their possession be given to them,’ he said while pointing out that till now every political party has promised to give people their land rights but none have done so as yet.
“Farmers across goa have been fighting for their land rights, and government cant keep delaying it to protect the interests of landlords” Said Chadha
“How could the politicians give you your land rights when they themselves are the land lords and your MLA is one of the biggest landlords in the area,” he said while demanding that the government immediately resolve the land issue in Goa.
While disclosing that he was aghast seeing the video of how the police attacked the poor villagers with lathis and tear gas and even trampling on some old ladies and said the people were right in telling the chief minister that he could not announce any project in their village without consulting them first.
While cautioning the people that the government has presently kept the project on hold, he said they will have to remain vigilant till the battle is won completely and said AAP will be with them till the end.
“You cannot enter someones house without asking them, thats what they try to do with the project, go there without the permission” said Raghav
AAP Spokesperson Sandesh Telekar speaking to the villagers said they showed the world the strength of women which till date he had believed was in Durga and other goddesses. “But you showed us Goddess Durga in Melauli,” he said.
“Both BJP and Congress are full of landlords and they will never bring the change needed to issue rightful ownership to tenants and tillers. Only AAP can do that.”
He further said following this victory of the people Goa will now march on the path of progress and proper growth.
Raghav felicitated some of the key villagers including the local panch in this battle and later on the around 150 people present most of whom were women were given a flower by the various AAP representatives present.
AAP Goa convener Rahul Mhambre, Spokespersons Adv Surel Tilve and Sandesh Telekar, along with Dr Vibhas Prabhudesai and Shripadh Pednekar were present.
Raghav then had a long chat with the gathered villagers and even had “godache fov” (sweet pohe) with them which the villagers served him to thank him for his support to their cause.