PANJIM: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Goa Unit has taken a dig at Aam Admi party (AAP) over ‘free electricity’ model to lure voters in the State. The national party, holding reins of the State since 2012, said AAP’s political gimmick is in view of the ensuring 2022 general assembly elections.

“A Delhi based party (referring to AAP) which cannot give such social security in their own State is trying to lure Goans by offering free electricity and ration now as the elections have come near,” MLA Glenn Souza Ticlo, who is appointed as State Convener to create awareness and implementation of Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in the State, said at a press conference on Thursday.

“BJP is confident they will not succeed in their machinations as our party and government’s record on social security in the last 10 years is commendable and this Delhi party cannot think of reaching near to it even in their own State Delhi where they are ruling for the last few years. Intelligent Goans are not going to fall prey to their gimmicks,” Ticlo said.

BJP has appointed Ticlo as State Convener and party spokesperson Premanand Mahambre as State Co-convener for the new task, launched ahead of the elections. The leaders reeled out a list of reliefs under the central scheme including free ration distribution.

In Goa during Phase I (April to November 2020) 5,14,412 beneficiaries got 20585 metric tons of food grains and pulses, and in the second phase which is started in May and June 2021, 1,42,937 ration card holders with 5,44,594 beneficiaries received 5321 metric tons of rice at 5 kg per beneficiary. This was distributed through 451 fair price shops with 207 shops in South Goa and 244 in North Goa.

Ticlo said that the BJP Government through its flagship social security schemes, conceived by late CM Manohar Parrikar like DSSS, Griha Aadhar and Ladli Laxmi has transferred thousands of crores directly to the bank accounts of Goans since 2012.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on July 14 held a press conference in Goa announcing that each family in Goa will get up to 300 units of electricity free per month if his party is voted to power in the State Assembly elections, due in February next year.

The Goa government has challenged the free electricity dole with Power Ministers of both the States to debate on the issue on July 26.