Team Herald
PANJIM: Bhandari Samaj leader and activist Upendra Gaonkar from Shirgao-Mayem joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in the presence of Social Welfare Minister in Kejriwal government Rajendra Pal Gautam, on Thursday.
Upendra, a civil contractor by profession, is a leader well-known for his work for the Bahujan Samaj. He is the General Secretary of Gomantak Bhandari Samaj since 2012 and Secretary of Gomantak Bahujan Mahasang (OBC, ST and SC).
Upendra, who is also involved in many social and religious organisations, joins the AAP at a time when the party is expanding its footprint across Goa and has set the tone for upcoming elections with the BJP and other parties desperately playing catch up.
He said that he was impressed by the work done by Aam Aadmi Party especially in helping the weakest sections of society and was impressed by the work of AAP in the education sector and in ensuring youth are employable, something that Goan youth are sorely missing.
He was also impressed by the AAP model of providing free services that are due to the citizens of the country in a planned manner.
Upendra pointed out many Goans are suffering due to the economic slowdown due to pandemic. Sawant Sarkar has not taken any steps to ease this pain as people have lost jobs and the economy is in doldrums. More serious is the fact that it has now become impossible for Goans to run their houses.
“AAP has done amazing work during COVID. The BJP government today is not just of BJP, but an alliance of BJP and Congress that has united to loot Goenkars. Today only AAP stands as an opposition to them in the entire country whether it is Punjab, Uttarkhand or Goa,” said Upendra.
“AAP works very hard especially for those who need it the most like the Bhaujan Samaj. They have won the hearts of Goenkars,” he added.
“Aam Aadmi Party being a party that has been grown from an ‘andolan’ has now revolutionised the politics of India. Along with politics we have also revolutionised the lives of common man. Free 24/7 electricity, free 24/7 water supply, healthcare and education are everyone’s rights,” said Rajendra Pal.
“AAP has achieved this by ending corruption and this is why Goans are eagerly joining AAP,” Gautam added.
“Many Goans including prominent social workers such as Upendra are joining the party daily. I am very happy today that Upendra has joined us after seeing the Kejriwal model,” said AAP Goa Convenor Rahul Mhambre.
