Panaji: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday joined protesters at Azad Maidan in support of the ongoing Save Karapur movement against the proposed Lodha Mega Project and the demand to scrap Section 39A.
Kejriwal was accompanied by former Delhi Chief Minister and Goa Prabhari Atishi, AAP Goa President Valmiki Naik and other party leaders. The AAP leaders expressed solidarity with protesters opposing projects they believe could threaten Goa’s land, environment and traditional way of life.
Addressing the gathering, Kejriwal launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led government over Section 39A. He alleged that the government was unwilling to scrap the provision because doing so would affect what he described as its “corrupt income.”
Kejriwal warned that continued implementation of policies allowing large-scale land development could have serious consequences for Goa.
“If the BJP remains in power, the entire Goa will be reduced to a land of slums,” Kejriwal said, while urging Goans to unite against what he described as the government’s land and development policies.
He appealed to Goa’s approximately 15 lakh people as well as political parties across the state to come together, defeat the BJP and work towards scrapping Section 39A.
The AAP leader also positioned the issue as a larger fight for the protection of Goa’s land and identity, backing the protesters who have raised concerns over the Lodha Mega Project and other large-scale developments.
The remarks come amid growing political debate in Goa over Section 39A, land-use regulations and large infrastructure and real-estate projects. The issue has increasingly become a point of confrontation between the ruling BJP and opposition parties and civil society groups.
The protests at Azad Maidan brought together people opposing the Lodha project as well as those demanding the repeal of Section 39A, with speakers calling for greater protection of Goa’s land and resources.
