Team Goemkarponn
NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has raised the pitch against the infamous “cash-for-jobs” scam in Goa, with the local leadership taking the fight to Delhi.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has vowed to take this issue to the upcoming Parliament session and fight for justice for Goa’s youth.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday along with Goa leaders in AAP’s national office in Delhi, Singh stated that the BJP government has consistently manipulated recruitment processes in Goa for years.
Referring to the recent “cash-for-jobs” scam, he claimed that names of prominent BJP leaders, including Chief Minister’s wife Sulakshana Sawant and other BJP MLAs, ministers, and party workers, have surfaced in connection with the irregularities.
He also accused the BJP of systematically selling government posts, betraying the trust of Goan citizens.
Singh further highlighted the recent irregularities involving 945 posts advertised by the GHRDC, where 6,000 out of 30,000 applications mysteriously went missing.
He also mentioned the delayed arrest of Puja Naik, whose name surfaced in connection with the scam after meeting the Chief Minister at his residence.
Singh added, “Why did the Chief Minister wait for a week to arrest her? This delay proves the BJP Govt’s involvement in the scam.”
Referring to past incidents of corruption, Singh reminded about the 2021 PWD recruitment scandal, where PWD Minister Deepak Pawaskar was accused of malpractices.
“The BJP has a long history of selling government jobs, and Goans have learned that merit and skills no longer matter. The only qualification for a government job is proximity to BJP leaders and the ability to pay hefty bribes,” he said.
Highlighting the achievements of the Delhi and Punjab governments, Singh said, “AAP believes in providing jobs based on merit and transparency. In Delhi and Punjab, we have created employment opportunities without bribery or favoritism. The BJP, on the other hand, has only exploited Goan youth for its selfish gains.”
Speaking on the issue, AAP Goa President Adv. Amit Palekar termed the scam as the “biggest scam of the century.” He questioned the government’s intentions, stating, “If the BJP government claims it is not involved, why is it refusing to set up a Judicial Commission or make phone call records public? This reluctance to act speaks volumes about the involvement of BJP leaders in this corruption.”
AAP MLA Capt. Venzy Viegas also lashed out at the BJP government for ruining the future of Goan youth. He criticised the burden placed on parents, saying, “Parents in Goa spend lakhs of rupees on their children’s education, only to realise they must now pay lakhs more to secure a job.
This corrupt system is destroying the dreams of our youth and the hopes of their families.”* Viegas added that AAP has consistently warned about such scams, but the BJP government ignored the warnings.
Other Goa leaders at the press conference included Working President Valmiki Naik and youth leaders Rohan Naik, Salman Khan, and Chetan Kamat.
The AAP leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fighting corruption and safeguarding the aspirations of Goan youth.
“This is not just about a scam,” said Palekar. “This is about the future of Goa. If we don’t act now, we risk losing an entire generation to the corrupt practices of the BJP government. AAP will fight tooth and nail to ensure justice for Goans and restore faith in the system.”*
The Aam Aadmi Party has called upon all Goans to join their fight against corruption, urging the youth to come forward and expose the malpractices of the BJP-led government. The party emphasised that this is not just a political issue but a moral battle for Goa’s future.
