Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jul 1: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has hit out at the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government, terming its recent announcement of a 50% bus fare concession for women as a "pre-election jumla" aimed at misleading voters ahead of the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Goa Working President Valmiki Naik alleged that the BJP’s promise lacked sincerity and was a desperate attempt to win back the trust of women voters. "This is not a genuine welfare measure but a political stunt. It’s a poor copy of Arvind Kejriwal’s successful schemes in Delhi and Punjab, rolled out without any planning or commitment," Naik said.
He recalled the BJP government’s earlier move to withdraw the free water scheme, accusing Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of insulting Goans by calling them ‘chor.’ "If re-elected, the CM will do the same—withdraw this scheme and label Goan women as freeloaders," he claimed.
Naik also alleged that the BJP government had diluted previous schemes by adding conditions that restricted actual beneficiaries. "Before elections, they promised Rs 2,500 monthly to every woman. After winning, they backtracked. This is the BJP’s real face when it comes to women's welfare," he said.
Backing the statement, AAP leader Suvarna Harmalkar said that core issues like price rise, unemployment, healthcare, safety, and delays in welfare benefits for women remain unaddressed despite repeated assurances.
The party urged Goan voters not to be misled by what it called the BJP’s election-time appeasement tactics.