Puti joins AAP, to contest against CM

PANJIM: The Goa Mining People’s Front Convenor Puti Gaonkar on Sunday joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and is slated to contest upcoming Assembly elections from Sanquelim Constituency held by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant.  

Goankar was inducted into the party by AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who arrived in Goa this afternoon.

Kejriwal announced to resume iron ore mining activities in the State within six months of coming into power.

"We assure to restart mining activities within six months of forming government in Goa," he said as party is gearing up to contest 2022 Assembly elections. 

Kejriwal also appealed all political parties to support AAP candidate Gaonkar against the Chief Minister, to ensure defeat of BJP in Sanquelim. 

“Let it be a one-to-one fight between Gaonkar and Sawant. All parties should support our candidate, Gaonkar, who has been at forefront trying to protect livelihood of the people dependent on mining activities," Kejriwal said. 

Gaonkar had recently launched the Goa State Navnirman Aghadi Forum aimed at taking on the BJP in the upcoming State Assembly elections. 

The Union leader accused the BJP for having no political will to restart mining activities, which are shut since 2012. "BJP is not starting mining to protect its own interests," he charged

Gaonkar had earlier this week said that “Goans need an alternative and in my belief AAP is the alternative".