Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: AAP’s Goa unit has condoled the untimely demise of the party’s founding member Dinesh Vaghela.
State President Adv. Amit Palekar said that Vaghela, who has been associated with the party since the India Against Corruption days, was an inspiration and guide for many of the dedicated leaders of AAP today.
“He was a member of our party’s highest decision-making body, the National Executive. He also served as chairperson of the party’s Disciplinary Committee. But he was admired and respected by every AAP volunteer because, despite his age and health, he would enthusiastically join ground campaigns and street protests as well”, Palekar said.
Working President Valmiki Naik, who is also a founding member of the party and worked closely with Vaghela, said Vaghela’s residence in Caranzalem was like a home for all AAP workers and leaders, with even top leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia having stayed there during their Goa visits. Naik recalled that Vaghela travelled the length and breadth of Goa to meet people and build the party.
General Secretary Adv. Surel Tilve informed that in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when AAP had fielded more than 400 candidates across India, Vaghela had contested on the party ticket in the Ahmedabad constituency of Gujarat, against BJP’s Paresh Rawal. Tilve informed that many leaders of the party from various states where he had worked including Goa, Gujarat and Delhi, expressed their condolences through social media.
Vaghela is survived by his wife Theresa and sons Geet and Kabir. His last rites were performed at St. Inez crematorium today and were well attended by prominent citizens.
