Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa unit held a grand felicitation ceremony in Panaji on March 17 to honour party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal following his discharge in the alleged liquor policy case, while launching a sharp political attack on the BJP.
The event saw participation from party leaders, volunteers, and supporters across Goa. AAP also felicitated its first CCP corporator Jack Sukhija and Zilla Panchayat winner Antonio Leao Fernandes for their recent electoral victories.
Addressing the gathering, Kejriwal termed the case an “agnipariksha” for the party and claimed that despite allegations of ₹100 crore corruption, no evidence was found. He stated that even a detailed court order indicated insufficient material to initiate trial proceedings. He also highlighted that leaders like Manish Sisodia had spent months in jail but were not found guilty.
Kejriwal alleged that the case was politically motivated and orchestrated by the BJP to curb AAP’s growing influence. “BJP cannot defeat us on schools and hospitals, so they orchestrated a fake case,” he said, adding that no illicit money was used in Goa elections.
Targeting the BJP-led government in Goa, Kejriwal pointed to civic issues in Ponda, citing garbage accumulation, sewage overflow in areas like Curti, and poor infrastructure. He accused the ruling party of neglecting basic governance while focusing on targeting political opponents.
AAP Goa in-charge Atishi said the development was celebrated across Goa as a victory of truth, asserting that allegations linking Goa elections to the case were baseless. Goa State President Valmiki Naik described the outcome as a win for honest politics.
MLAs Cruz Silva and Venzy Viegas also criticised the BJP, stating that the verdict exposed what they termed as propaganda and reaffirmed AAP’s commitment to clean governance.
The party reiterated that the development has strengthened its resolve to expand its presence in Goa and position itself as a credible alternative ahead of upcoming elections.
