Team Goemkarponn
BETALBATIM: In a major political development in South Goa, former Betalbatim Panch and Congressman Santu Fernandes joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) along with a large group of supporters on Wednesday. The induction took place in the presence of Benaulim MLA Capt. Venzy Viegas and AAP Working President Gerson Gomes. Also present were AAP Nuvem leader Brian Rodrigues and other party workers.
Welcoming the new members, Gerson Gomes said the AAP welcomes “those who genuinely want to defeat the BJP,” adding that the Congress has repeatedly failed to do so.
“Even if the Congress gets a few MLAs elected, they end up defecting to the BJP. AAP is the only alternative that stands for honesty and people-centric politics,” Gomes said.
Attacking the Congress, Santu Fernandes said his decision stemmed from “betrayal” by the party’s elected MLAs.
“Congress betrayed Goans twice — in 2017 and again in 2022. Their MLAs sold the people’s mandate to the BJP, which has destroyed Goa. We feel guilty for the actions of the BJP because Congress MLAs helped them form the government,” Fernandes stated.
He praised Capt. Venzy Viegas for showing that “good work can happen even without being in power,” citing free clinics established by the MLA in Benaulim.
Welcoming Fernandes, Capt. Viegas said:
“Despite all pressures, I did not join the BJP. Even without being in government, I’ve worked for the people of Benaulim. Compare our work to others — you’ll see the difference between AAP and the rest.”
AAP leader Brian Rodrigues from Nuvem urged Goans not to “repeat the mistake” of trusting the Congress, warning that “every time they get MLAs, they end up joining the BJP.”
