Panaji: AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, along with former Delhi chief minister and Goa in-charge Atishi, joined the Save Karapur agitation against the Lodha mega project, expressing solidarity with the villagers. Kejriwal slammed the BJP for pushing anti-people projects and said that if AAP forms the government in Goa, Section 39A will be scrapped and all mega projects approved under it will be revoked retrospectively.
Kejriwal criticises BJP over builder lobbies
“BJP ministers have aligned themselves with builder lobbies and corporate interests at the expense of local communities. I praise the people of Karapur for their determination and resilience in continuing their agitation for over fifty days despite mounting pressure,” said Kejriwal. He emphasised that the project, with a projected population of nearly 8,000 to 10,000 residents, would introduce a population larger than that of the village itself. He also noted that the project would place immense pressure on local resources, infrastructure, and public amenities.
Atishi highlights environmental concerns
Atishi added that luxury housing projects leave local communities vulnerable to water shortages, environmental degradation, and the loss of traditional livelihoods. She stressed that such developments often prioritise profits over people, leading to long-term harm to the region’s ecology and social fabric.
Growing public anger against BJP
Referring to recent protests in Chimbel and Dharbandora, Kejriwal said that these protests reflect growing public anger against a government that listens more to builder lobbies than to the concerns of ordinary citizens. He reiterated AAP’s commitment to transparent and people-centric governance, promising that if elected, the party would prioritise the welfare of local communities over corporate interests.
The Save Karapur agitation has been ongoing for over 50 days, with villagers demanding the cancellation of the Lodha mega project. Kejriwal’s visit is seen as a significant boost to the protest, highlighting the political stakes in Goa ahead of the next assembly elections.
