Team Herald
PANJIM: The Aam Aadmi Party has gained momentum after former BJP St Andre leader Professor Ramrao Wagh joined the party in the presence of AAP Goa Desk In-Charge Atishi, on Monday.
Wagh, who contested the St Andre seat on BJP ticket during the 2017 State Assembly elections, claimed that the current incumbent MLA of St Andre joined BJP in 2019 along with other nine Congress MLAs stating that he wants to carry out development works in St Andre. However, he only works towards self-development.
Wagh challenged the incumbent MLA to show what kind of development work he has carried out since joining the BJP.
He said, “Currently, the local governing bodies in St Andre have no power. All decisions are made by the current legislator.”
“The St Andre Constituency needs to be fearless. This fear was dispelled by my brother Vishnu Wagh when he was an MLA. Many development works were conducted as a result. Unfortunately, the fear is once again prevalent among the people here,” he added.
AAP Goa Desk In-Charge Atishi claimed that former Deputy Speaker Vishnu Wagh and his brother Ram Rao Wagh have been the voice of Goa’s Bhandari community for many years and will always remain so. It was because of Vishnu Wagh, the Bhandari Samaj supported the BJP in the 2012 Assembly elections. However, the BJP government only used them for their politics and never done anything for them.
Atishi said, “Disturbed by the politics of BJP, today Ramrao Wagh has joined the Aam Aadmi Party. He is the representative of educated Goans and wants to work for the youth of Goa who has been facing severe challenges due to incumbent government.”
Aam Aadmi Party posters were torn down in St Andre. On this, AAP leader Amit Palekar said, “Tearing the posters will not destroy the thought. In the past five years, no development work has taken place here. Basic facilities such as 24 hours electricity and proper roads aren’t available. St Andre needs a change now, and our newly appointed leader Wagh will strive to make that happen.”
