AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal declared on Saturday that his party would not enter into an alliance with the Congress in Goa, accusing the Congress of repeatedly betraying the electorate. During a press conference, Kejriwal specifically alleged that the Congress had a history of selling its elected officials to the BJP.
Kejriwal was firm in his stance, stating that an alliance with the Congress was off the table. He criticized the Congress for what he described as a pattern of deceit against the people of Goa. He pointed out that numerous Congress MLAs had defected to the BJP in the past, specifically mentioning the 13 MLAs who joined the BJP between 2017 and 2019, and a further 10 in 2022. He challenged the Congress to guarantee that no newly elected MLAs would switch allegiance to the BJP.
Kejriwal directly accused the Congress of engaging in the practice of selling its MLAs to the BJP. Criticizing both parties, he characterized the Congress-BJP political dynamic as ‘rotten’. He also stated that the AAP would not support or aid the BJP in forming a government in Goa.
Kejriwal advocated for a change, suggesting that the people of Goa should have greater control over their resources and the ability to shape their own future. He asserted that the AAP would not assist the BJP in forming a government, and that any alliance with the Congress was impossible. He described the Congress-BJP dynamic as a corrupt political system. He stressed the importance of a new system where the people of Goa could make decisions regarding the utilization of their resources.
Kejriwal’s remarks were made during a three-day visit to Goa, which began on October 3rd. He was accompanied by Atishi, AAP’s Goa in-charge and former Delhi Chief Minister. The preceding day, Kejriwal had criticized the BJP-Congress alliance government, stating that the state had suffered due to corruption and alleged criminal activities for the past 13 years.
Goa is anticipated to hold its next assembly elections in February 2027. During the past 13 years, the state has experienced widespread illegal construction, illegal mining, significant corruption, violence, state-sponsored lawlessness, a decline in law and order, a rise in crime, damaged roads, issues of crimes against women, constant power outages, extensive unemployment, a reduction in tourism, and concerns over the state’s culture.