New Delhi: After announcing Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Punjab Chief Ministerial candidate on Tuesday, the party's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will announce their CM face for Goa today. Delhi CM Kejriwal reached Goa on Tuesday evening and will hold a press conference today at 11 AM and will be making the announcement.
Although AAP’s CM choice is not clear yet, the party had decided a while ago that the CM for the upcoming Goa assembly election 2022 would be one from the Bhandari community. The information was made public by Delhi’s Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. He had also announced that the deputy CM for Goa will be one from the Catholic community. Apart from this, if AAP forms a government in Goa, the cabinet would have members from all communities.
The most talked-about name to be made AAP's CM face for Goa is Amit Palekar who comes from the Bhandari community. The community forms 35 percent of Goa’s population making it viable for AAP to see it as its vote bank and give tickets to someone from the community. This makes Amit Palekar a better choice for AAP.
Who Is Amit Palekar?
Palekar is the same person who sat on a hunger strike against the illegal bungalow being constructed in Old Goa Heritage premises. After his strike, the state administration had taken action against the disputed structure.
Arvind Kejriwal had met Palekar during this strike only, which later on led to speculation of Palekar being the CM face for AAP.
While Kejriwal had not confirmed Palekar’s name for CM, he had also not denied the possibilities. Palekar turned politician from a lawyer and is contesting from the Santa Cruz constituency. He had also accompanied Kejriwal in his last door-to-door campaign in Goa.