Amit Palekar, Aam Aadmi Party's chief ministerial candidate for Goa polls.
Gomantak Times
Amit Palekar, the Aam Aadmi Party's chief ministerial candidate for Goa polls, is a newcomer in politics but is confident of shouldering the big responsibility. In an exclusive interview with the Gomantak Times, Palekar claimed AAP is the only party that doesn't believe in high command and has a vision for the people of Goa.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
First of all, how is your election campaign going on so far? How are people responding to your campaign?
There is superb energy. I am being welcomed wherever I am going. People have seen hope in me. It is a big responsibility because of the expectations of people now. For the first time, they feel there is somebody who can relate to them, understand their problems and somebody who can solve their problems is coming to their doors to ask for votes. They have been so welcoming so far.
Why should people vote for AAP in Goa?
AAP is an honest party. AAP has come up with a vision for Goa. AAP is here to work for the people of Goa. AAP is here without corruption in Goa. It is a party that connects to people. It is a party that takes every person together. It is the party that has a vision and that vision is not something that is in thin air, it has been performed in another state and the party has given back to the people what they actually deserve.
AAP Chief Ministerial candidate Amit Palekar interacts with voter during campaging at Santa Cruz
Among the multiple parties that are in the fray in this election, who do you think is the main rival for AAP in Goa?
In certain places, it is the Congress party and in certain places, it is BJP. It is a straight battle between BJP vs AAP and in some places, It is Congress vs AAP.
Congress has accused you of dividing the anti-BJP votes while BJP has claimed that you are playing caste politics in Goa? What do you have to say about that?
These accusations are already coming from the political parties. People of Goa are not saying these things. People of Goa have chosen AAP as an alternative to corruption. AAP as an alternative to defections, AAP as an alternative to non-development, AAP as an alternative to every single party in Goa who have indulged in all corrupt practices together.
There are claims that if AAP is voted to power, the government will run from Delhi...
Am I based out in Delhi? or are our candidates based out of Delhi? Every party has roots in Delhi but we are not a party that believes in high command. Our party takes democratic decisions based on local issues by taking local leaders into confidence.
We are not a party that has to fly back to Delhi to take decisions. You must have seen that all these parties went to Delhi to decide their candidates' list. Our candidates were decided in Goa. These parties are building this false narrative to misguide people and get people to vote for them.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal raises hands with AAP Chief Ministerial candidate Amit Palekar.
What will be your model of governance for Goa? Is it gonna be a replica of Kejriwal's Delhi Model of Governance?
Every place is different but the needs are the same. First, we have to take care of basic human needs. Basic issues are the same in both Delhi and Goa. We will give back to people what they deserve and that is proper electricity and water supply, healthcare, education, women empowerment and job guarantee. This is the need of the hour in Goa. Besides, we have a vision for Goa to take forward. We are all Goans. We know what problems are there for people in Goa and we need to how to take Goa ahead.
What is your winning estimate?
I think we have already won the heart of the people of Goa. I think Goa will be giving us back the love and affection in the form of their votes. We will see the results on March 10. King-maker is the voter and it is their decision that counts. Lets hope for the best.