Panaji: The Aam Aadmi Party showcased its organisational muscle on Monday by filing 27 Zilla Panchayat nominations across Goa in a single day, marking a significant show of strength ahead of the polls. Senior leaders and volunteers accompanied candidates as nomination papers were submitted at multiple centres, including Panjim, Bicholim, Pernem, Mapusa, Margao, Sattari, Dharbandora and Quepem.
The party claimed that for the past 20 days, it has been the only political outfit actively conducting door-to-door campaigns statewide, positioning the ZP polls as a direct showdown between the BJP and AAP.
Addressing the media at the South Goa Collectorate after overseeing nominations for candidates from Raia, Benaulim, Colva, Navelim and Guirdolim, MLA Capt. Venzy Viegas said the BJP was “misusing government machinery” and displaying “clear bias” against AAP candidates. He asserted that the ground response in constituencies like Navelim and Nuvem has been overwhelmingly positive.
In Sattari, AAP Working President Valmiki Naik filed nominations for Avinash Jadhav (Keri) and Arjun Gurav (Nagargao), criticising what he termed the area’s prevailing “family raj.” He said AAP was determined to end political dynasties in the region and urged voters to support the party’s efforts for change.
At Mapusa, State President Adv. Amit Palekar highlighted AAP’s commitment to promoting young and qualified candidates, contrasting it with the BJP’s alleged prioritisation of family-based politics. He emphasised that AAP stands for merit and public service.
Working President Gerson Gomes, present for nominations in South Goa, praised the enthusiasm of volunteers and said the growing support indicated Goa’s readiness for “a new kind of politics.”
With 27 nominations filed in a single day, AAP said it remains firmly focused on clean governance, public-centric politics and ending corruption and dynasty-driven leadership in the state.
