Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is set to name its vice president, Valmiki Naik, as the new State president in Goa, party sources confirmed on Friday. The decision follows a period of leadership uncertainty after Amit Palekar resigned from the post, taking responsibility for the party’s poor performance in the recent Zilla Panchayat elections.
The party was left without a clear leader after interim president Srikrishna Parab, appointed as General Secretary (Organisation), also stepped down. AAP’s Goa in-charge, Atishi, visited the State on Friday to hold consultations with office bearers and party workers to address the leadership vacuum.
Several names were reportedly under consideration, including Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, working president Gerson Gomes, and vice president Prashant Naik. Ultimately, consensus emerged around Valmiki Naik, a long-time party member and familiar face in Goa politics. He is expected to be formally announced as the new State president within the next day or two.
Naik, associated with AAP since its formation in 2012, is seen as a stabilizing figure who can guide the party after recent turbulence. Palekar’s resignation followed the party’s dismal performance in the ZP polls, where it won only one seat while maintaining roughly a 6% vote share, prompting calls for swift leadership decisions.
Atishi’s consultations emphasized unity and sought to reassure party workers of AAP’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Goa. With Naik poised to take charge, the party aims to reinvigorate its State unit and focus on grassroots-level issues.
