The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has appointed five new chiefs to lead its frontal organisational cells in Goa, aimed at strengthening its grassroots presence ahead of upcoming polls.
Mamta Meban has been named head of the women’s wing, Sandeep Pednekar will lead the OBC cell, while Rajesh Gaonkar takes charge of the ST cell.
James Fernandes has been appointed minority cell chief, and Poojan Malvankar will head the youth wing.
The announcement was made by AAP state president Valmiki Naik at a press conference in Panaji.
Naik said the party has been working for months to expand its organisation, but preoccupation with the municipal elections and the Ponda bypoll delayed the process.
The new appointees will be tasked with building the party at district, constituency, and booth levels, Naik said even as he accused the ruling politicians of attempting to divide OBC and ST communities because unity among them could deal a major blow to the ruling party.
Rajesh Gaonkar who will head AAP's ST Cell said Goa’s tribal population makes up 22“23 percent and despite attaining the ST status for the Gawda, Kunbhi and Velip communities back in 2003, several of their key demands remain ignored to date.
Youth wing chief Malvankar attacked the BJP government for failing to address unemployment and education issues, claiming that youth are increasingly backing the “Cockroach Janata Party,” an online political platform which has gone viral nationally and also internationally.
