Panaji: Ruling out any possibility of a pre-poll tie-up with the Congress in Goa, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state president Amit Palekar on Tuesday said the grand old party has a history of betraying its allies and its MLAs often switch sides after elections.
Speaking to reporters here, Palekar said the “general perception in Goa is that voting for Congress is like voting for the BJP,” as elected MLAs from the party have repeatedly defected to the saffron camp in the past.
“The Congress is a high command-driven party. Every time their MLAs get elected, they end up joining the BJP. We have seen this happen twice in Goa. People feel voting for Congress is like voting for BJP,” he said.
Palekar alleged that while the AAP had extended support to Congress candidates in the last Lok Sabha elections, the party has “always ditched its partners,” citing examples from Gujarat (by elections) and Haryana state elections.
“There is no question of any alliance with the Congress. We are neither hopeful nor looking forward to one,” the AAP leader said, asserting that his party would contest the 2027 Goa Assembly elections on its own strength.
AAP has two MLAs in 40 seat Goa legislative Assembly.
