Former Betalbatim panch and Congressman Santu Fernandes joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) along with a large group of supporters. The induction took place in the presence of Benaulim MLA Capt. Venzy Viegas and AAP Working President Gerson Gomes, with AAP Nuvem leader Brian Rodrigues and local party workers also attending.
Welcoming the new members, AAP Working President Gerson Gomes said the party was open to “people who want to genuinely defeat the BJP,” stressing that the Congress had repeatedly failed Goans.
“The Congress is simply not capable of doing that,” Gomes said. “Even if they get a few MLAs elected, they end up defecting to the BJP. AAP is the only alternative that stands firmly for the people and for honesty in politics.”
In a sharp rebuke to his former party, Santu Fernandes accused the Congress of betraying Goa’s mandate in 2017 and 2022, enabling the BJP to consolidate power.
“We made a mistake by voting and campaigning for Congress in 2017 and 2022,” Fernandes said. “Congress MLAs supported a government that destroyed Goa. Today, we feel responsible and carry a sense of guilt for the actions of the BJP Government that Congress helped sustain.”
He added that AAP’s grassroots work and integrity had inspired him and his supporters to make the switch.
“Congress betrayed Goans twice — in 2017 and again in 2022. Their MLAs sold the people’s mandate to the BJP. We will not repeat that mistake. AAP is the only party that has proven its honesty and commitment to public service,” Fernandes said.
Capt. Venzy Viegas, who represents Benaulim in the Goa Legislative Assembly, welcomed Fernandes and his supporters, contrasting AAP’s track record with that of other parties.
“Despite all pressures, I did not join the BJP. Even without being in the government, I have worked tirelessly for the people of Benaulim,” Viegas said. “Just compare the roads in Nuvem and Benaulim — you will see the difference between AAP and the rest. We do good work, not politics.”
AAP Nuvem leader Brian Rodrigues echoed the sentiment, urging Goans not to repeat what he called a “historic mistake.”
“Every time people of Goa vote for Congress, their MLAs end up joining the BJP. Goans should not fall into this trap again,” Rodrigues said.
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