Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: A sharp political exchange erupted between the Goa Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday, with both parties trading strong accusations over their respective roles in opposing the BJP in the state.
The Congress dismissed AAP’s criticism as “laughable,” alleging that the party’s real objective in Goa is to weaken the opposition by dividing votes whenever the BJP faces pressure. Referring to recent remarks by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, the Congress said AAP itself has admitted that its principal fight is against the Congress, not the BJP.
“Whenever the BJP is under pressure, AAP conveniently appears to divide votes and provide relief. That isn’t opposition, it is B-team politics,” the Congress said, asserting that it has consistently confronted the BJP both on the streets and in the Assembly.
The party further accused AAP of functioning through “Delhi’s remote control” and acting as a spoiler in Goa’s political landscape.
“Stop pretending to oppose the BJP when your actions repeatedly strengthen them. Goans have realised AAP’s role,” the Congress statement added, taking a swipe at AAP by sarcastically expanding its acronym as the “All-India Ticket-Rejected Candidates Distribution Organisation.”
Responding strongly, AAP Goa rejected the allegations and countered by accusing the Congress of repeatedly betraying the people of Goa.
“Congress supplied MLAs to the BJP after the 2012, 2017 and 2022 elections. These are the people who will question AAP?” the party said in a statement.
AAP claimed that its MLAs have stood firmly against the BJP, unlike the Congress, which it alleged has a history of defections.
“Our MLAs have stood against the BJP like a wall. Congress has repeatedly backstabbed the people of Goa,” AAP said.
The party also claimed that when it mattered most, AAP supported the Congress in its attempt to defeat the BJP, even without being asked to do so.
Taking a personal swipe, AAP alleged that the current South Goa district Congress president is the same individual who was caught on camera allegedly accepting cash and expressing willingness to defect to the BJP if elected.
“This is the state of the Congress, and they dare to question AAP. Have some shame,” the AAP statement said.
The exchange highlights the deepening rift between the two opposition parties in Goa, even as both continue to claim the mantle of being the principal challenger to the BJP in the state.
