AAP Goa unit leader Dr. Prithvi Amonkar withdrawn as party candidate, may contest the polls independently

While the chairperson of campaign committee of AAP, Rajeshree Nagarsekar, maintained that it had ‘no issues’ with Amonkar, she said that the changes were made based on the ‘review’ of constituency progress made by the AAP’s campaign committee.

“During our periodic review, we noticed that Siolim candidate’s efforts were not showing desired results. In the joint review meeting with the candidate, course correction was recommended. Despite all efforts there was no change in the trend. Subsequently the candidate expressed his inability and a joint/amicable (and) decision was arrived,” she said.

The campaign committee however added that Amonkar will continue with the party in other capacity. However, reiterating a different version to his exit, Amonkar said that despite his best efforts to promote the party at his constituency, the Delhi based AAP leaders decided to remove his candidature.

“Compared to all the constituency campaigned by the party, AAP at Siolim leads the trend by all parameters. Yet the AAP (Delhi) leaders are imposing their decision without consultation. I am not happy about it. They are severely undermining the leadership of party workers here. It is difficult to work under the circumstances with the party, therefore I have decided to give up my primary membership” he said.

Amonkar added that Delhi’s administrative model cannot be replicated in Goa given the difference in the geo-politics of the region and said that unless AAP leaders in Goa are allowed to function independently no party has scope of victory in polls.

“There is absolutely no leadership in Goa’s AAP unit, they do just as they are directed from Delhi. In the process we lose relationship with our constituents and it is not worth it,” he said.

Amonkar said although he continues to be volunteer of the party, his loyalist from the constituency have asked him to function independently.

“I have thrown the ball in AAP’s court, it is for them to decide. I will be meeting my supporters from tomorrow and mostly of them have already asked me to contest independently,” he said

Untill Tuesday this week, AAP in its fifth installment had announced 25 individuals as prospective candidates from the party to the 2017 state election, Dr. Prithvi Amonkar’s name was among them. However with the developments on Thursday, party spokesperson Rajeshree said that the new candidate for Siolim will be announced shortly.