Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) statewide campaign #BJPCheBurak entered its fourth day on Wednesday, with leaders and volunteers staging protests in Calangute, Mandrem and St Cruz to highlight what they termed as the “pathetic and unsafe” condition of Goa’s roads.
AAP accused the BJP government of betraying Goans with false promises of development, claiming that despite crores spent on repairs, roads across the state remain riddled with potholes. The party said its helpline number under the campaign has received an “overwhelming response” from citizens reporting road issues.
AAP Vice President Chetan Kamat, who led the protest in Calangute, said, “Most of today’s BJP leaders are imports from Congress. They switched sides in the name of development, but Goans have only got pothole-ridden roads everywhere. Calangute is a global tourist hub, yet its roads are in tatters.” He was joined by leaders John Fernandes, Carol Fernandes and Arvind Tendulkar.
In Mandrem, AAP General Secretary (Organisation) Shrikrishna Parab warned that crumbling roads could eventually harm Goa’s tourism industry. “What is the BJP government trying to promote — craters on the moon? There is a school near this road. What if students get harmed? The government must act before Chaturthi,” he said.
AAP Vice President Sunil Singnapurkar alleged that road repairs have become an “opportunity to earn” for the BJP while Goans continue to suffer. “Crores have already been spent. We demand that repairs be completed under the same tender instead of wasting money through fresh contracts. This road must be fixed before Chaturthi so that people can travel safely,” he said.
At St Cruz, AAP leader Sarfaraz Ankalgi described the Chimbel stretch as a “death trap.” He added, “Accidents are happening, lives are at risk, yet the BJP government distracts people with irrelevant issues instead of fixing basic infrastructure. Unless citizens shout and cry out, BJP leaders don’t move an inch. This is the true BJP model.”
The AAP said it will continue its #BJPCheBurak campaign across constituencies until every Goan gets safe, motorable roads.
