Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO:The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has gained significant momentum in Goa with the joining of Vinay Velip from the Aadi Brigade and his group of youth from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community. The announcement was made at a special event held at Club Harmonia Hall in Margao, where AAP leaders, including Benaulim MLA Captain Venzy Viegas, Velim MLA Cruz Silva, and State President Adv. Amit Palekar, pledged to raise the concerns of the ST community in the upcoming Goa Legislative Assembly sessions.
The event was attended by several prominent AAP leaders, including Chinchinim Panch and Working President Gerson Gomes, AAP leader Prashant Naik, Ex-Sarpanch & AAP National Youth leader Siddesh Bhagat, and Co-Observer Pardeep Logan.
MLA Cruz Silva highlighted the pressing issues faced by the tribal communities, emphasizing that political reservation and other critical concerns must be urgently addressed. He assured that the AAP would bring these matters to the forefront during the next Assembly session. Silva also mentioned that the AAP would push for the long-pending construction of an Adivasi Bhavan, aimed at providing a dedicated space for the tribal community. “We will stand strongly with the ST community in the fight for their rights. These issues have been neglected for far too long, and it’s time for change,” said Silva.
Captain Venzy Viegas, MLA for Benaulim, also made a firm commitment to bring up the ₹35,000 crore mining scam that has shaken the state. “The exploitation of Goa’s resources has to end, and if AAP comes to power in the 2027 elections, we will ensure the mining scam is thoroughly investigated and those responsible are held accountable,” Viegas assured.
Adv. Amit Palekar, AAP Goa State President, also spoke about the party’s vision for Goa’s future and the neglected issues of the ST community. He pointed out that the Forest Rights Act had not been effectively implemented, and the ST Commission still had several unresolved issues. Palekar also highlighted the lack of infrastructure in rural areas where the tribal community predominantly resides. “Basic amenities like roads, electricity, water, and proper educational facilities are still lacking. The tribal community continues to suffer due to the government’s neglect,” he said.
Vinay Velip, who heads the Aadi Brigade, expressed confidence in the AAP’s commitment to solving the long-standing issues of the tribal community. Velip shared that the Aadi Brigade was originally founded to address the concerns of the tribal community but had been systematically undermined by the current government. “The condition of the tribal community is dire. Even Minister Govind Gaude, a known advocate for tribal rights, was removed from the cabinet. The government has also made efforts to shut down organizations like the UTAA that fight for our community,” Velip stated. Velip and his team were drawn to AAP because of its commitment to working for the common man and addressing issues that have been ignored by other political parties. “We have seen the work AAP has done in other parts of Goa and believe that this party is the only one that genuinely represents the future of our community and the state,” he added.
Prashant Naik, an AAP leader, noted that the talks between the Aadi Brigade and AAP had been ongoing for over a year. He commended Velip and his group for recognizing the efforts of AAP MLAs who have worked for the welfare of the people beyond their constituencies. Velip’s joining is seen as a significant boost to AAP’s commitment to supporting Goa’s marginalized communities and ensuring that their voices are heard in the state’s legislative process.
