PANJIM: The Congress, in its attempt to dismiss AAP and build confidence among its workers, has ended up paying a backhanded compliment to Arvind Kerjriwal’s party, indicating that it is wary of Delhi’s ruling party and its Chief Minister.
AICC General Secretary and Goa desk in-charge Digvijay Singh, on a visit to Goa, first refused to recognise the existence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) saying, “It hardly exists in Goa”. But he revealed that the Congress is wary of APP making inroads by saying almost off the cuff that the common man’s frustration against them and the governing BJP, may force people to look for an alternative and that alternative could be the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.
Speaking to reporters in Panjim, Singh said, “There is hardly any existence of AAP in Goa. But, if there is public frustration against the well established national parties like BJP and Congress it may pay way for others like AAP.”
This assumes immense significance, on the eve of Kejriwal’s public rally in Panjim, his first ever, on Sunday.
Against this backdrop Congress has decided to rebuild confidence among the people before the 2017 polls. As a part of its strategy, it is calling AAP the B team of the BJP.
“In Goa, AAP is targeting the traditional Congress voters. It is ‘B’ party of BJP. Everyone is aware of the close proximity of Kejriwal with the Sangh. They (RSS and AAP) used the formula in Delhi against the minority Congress and now they want to replicate it in Goa too,” Singh said.
Earlier, addressing the executive committee, Singh said that ahead of the elections, Congress will have to play its cards well and play a role of a constructive opposition. “We need to prove to people of Goa that Congress is the only alternative,” he said.
Party president Luizinho Faleiro, underscoring the urgency, said that workers should follow the “perform or perish” principle. Party workers recommended the ‘BJP hatao…Goa Bachao’, way cry, he added.
Speaking at the meeting, former Chief Minister and MLA Digambar Kamat said the party needs to create confidence among the people that Congress is the only alternative, as it will otherwise not succeed.
Meanwhile, Curtorim MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco expressed his frustration over the lack of opportunities given to young leaders. “Young leaders are left with no party platform and hence are forced to go to media to raise their concern. We are with the same old people. Hence from 18 (MLAs) we came to nine and we want to continue with those people. This trend needs to be changed,” he said.
