CUNCOLIM: Aam Aadmi Party’s dependence on the silent voters appears to be justified going by the over 500 people present for its meeting at Chandor where only a vehicle moved around making announcements of the meeting and people gathered.
The gathered crowd not only listened patiently to the speakers but also reciprocated with applause and cat calls at various stages depending upon the issues raised.
The speakers sought to drive home the point that February 4 would be the last opportunity to save Goan identify by voting for AAP as otherwise other forces will surely destroy whatever remains of Goan ethos.
The speakers also insisted on not electing a hung assembly as it would result in horse trading to the detriment of the State and Goans. In this respect they also argued that various smaller political outfits had emerged only to split the secular vote to help the BJP ride back to power.
United Goans Democratic Party President Jorson Fernandes launched a scathing attack on Joaquim Alemao and urged people to vote for AAP as only AAP can bring prosperity, peace and development in the State.
Dr. Oscar Rebello in his trademark impassioned speech argued that voting for NCP would amount to voting for BJP due to the developments in Maharashtra. He cautioned against attempts to “Singaporify” Goa because of which the Goa Bachao Abhiyan was launched to prepare the Regional Plan which has not seen the light of the day till date and urged the people to choose whether they wanted Goa to turn into a concrete jungle or remain green and serene.
Delhi MLA Alka Lamba, representing Chandni Chowk, said the BJP and the Congress were two sides of the same coin. “Why has the BJP government not arrested any Congressperson for corruption?” she asked pointing out that neither did the Congress arrest any BJP person on the same charges.
While castigating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for demonetisation, she drew parallels between AAP’s Elvis Gomes and Delhi chief minister Arjind Kejriwal’s common background of civil service, and said “Goa is in for good times if Elvis become the next chief minister.”
