The name of Amit Palekar was announced as the chief ministerial candidate of the Aam Aadmi Party for the Goa Assembly elections, during a press conference by AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The newly-inducted 46-year-old lawyer, Amit Palekar, is from the St Cruz Assembly constituency. Currently, the constituency is being represented by the state’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
The lawyer-turned-politician Amit Palekar belongs to the Bhandari community. He has been working to save Goa’s heritage and against illegal construction. He was praised by CM Arvind Kejriwal for his courage and determination. Apparently, during the second wave of COVID, Palekar addressed the oxygen shortage issue in Goa.
However, some parties have claimed that AAP is playing caste politics in Goa by choosing Palekar from the Bhandari community. Refuting such allegations, CM Arvind Kejriwal said, “On the contrary, we are correcting the caste politics which was earlier played by other political parties.” Addressing the conference, the CM, also, said, “Goa wants a change and AAP has been getting tremendous response in the coastal state. People are impressed with the Delhi model of governance.”
CM Kejriwal tweeted, “Many congratulations to Shri Amit Palekar ji for being declared as AAP’s CM candidate for Goa. I am sure, u (you) will work hard to fulfill the dream of every Goan and give a corruption free government to the people of Goa.” To which, Palekar replied, “Sir, thank you so much for entrusting me with this responsibility. I assure you that I will not fail you, the party, or the people of Goa.”
Some of the other prominent candidates on AAP’s list are Lincoln Vaz (Margao), Nonu Naik (Priol), Gabriel Fernandes (Curchorem), Raul Pereira (Quepem) and Manoj Ghadi Amonkar (Sanquelim).