India / Goa is a first-class state with third class politicians: Kejriwal

Panaji: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal launched a no hold barred attack on the BJP, saying the Goa Cabinet was full of ministers facing charges of "rape, scam and corruption". Goa goes to the polls next year.

Addressing a rally at Campal Ground in Goa, Kejriwal said, "Today, in-flight, I got a Goan to accompany me. He told me that in the BJP's cabinet there is a minister (referring to Goa urban development and social welfare minister Milind Naik) who was involved in a sex scandal and because of it had to resign from his position."

"There is a minister (referring to Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane) who during the pandemic was involved in a ventilator, oxygen and medicine scam. There is a third minister (referring to Goa public works minister Deepal Pauskar) in the counting, who takes bribes worth Rs 20 lakh from youth in return for jobs," Arvind Kejriwal further said.

The AAP chief said MLAs only care for themselves and not for the people of Goa. "Goa is a 1st class state with 3rd class politicians. MLAs only care for themselves, not for Goans. That's why they keep on switching parties to fulfill their pockets," he said.

Kejriwal further said AAP would make the first corruption-free govt in Goa while hitting out at the BJP and Congress. He also promised an unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 per month for the youth of Goa.

"I am a son of a middle-class man. I've seen how corrupt the system created by Congress and BJP has become. Nothing has changed until now, but in 2022 AAP will bring an end to this corruption," Kejriwal said.

"People in Delhi get free and 24 hours electricity. You ask your friends, relatives in Delhi and if they deny it, then don't vote for me...We'll give jobs to youth and till they get jobs, we'll give unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 per month," ANI quoted Kejriwal as saying.

In the 2017 Goa Assembly election, Congress had won 17 seats in the House and emerged as the single largest party. However, BJP, which had secured 13 seats, managed to quickly stitch alliances with some regional parties and independents to form government in the coastal state.