Team Goemkarponn
CHIMBEL: Chimbel witnessed a major political mobilisation on 11 January 2026 as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) joined local residents in a protest march opposing the proposed Unity Mall project near Toyvar Lake. The march to the house of the local MLA was led by AAP Goa State President Valmiki Naik, who took to the streets with villagers soon after assuming office.
Addressing the protesters, Valmiki Naik launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, saying that if the party is keen on building a Unity Mall, it should do so in the constituencies of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in Sanquelim or Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte in Porvorim, and not near Chimbel’s lake. He rejected claims that Toyvar Lake is “unused”, warning that such reasoning could be used to justify the destruction of Goa’s natural water bodies and forests. Naik said the government was bent on sacrificing Goa’s environment in the name of development and that people would respond strongly in the upcoming elections.
AAP Vice President Sunil Signapurkar accused the BJP of insulting Chimbel villagers by calling them “fotting”, and said the people were only trying to protect their land, water and environment. He added that instead of addressing public concerns, the government was attempting to discredit peaceful protesters.
AAP leader Jack Sukhija said the Unity Mall project exposed the BJP’s priorities, claiming that political symbolism and Modi’s image were being placed above the interests of Goans. He said AAP would resist any move that threatens Goa’s villages, lakes and ecological balance.
AAP Minority Cell Vice President Sarfaraz Ankalgai was also present at the protest.
The Aam Aadmi Party reiterated that it will continue to stand with the people of Chimbel and across Goa against projects that threaten the state’s natural heritage and public interest.
