Goa: War of Words Between AAP and BJP Over Attack on Activist

A heated war of words erupted between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Goa on Tuesday, with AAP accusing the ruling BJP of deflecting attention from a brutal attack on activist Rama Kankonkar by highlighting an alleged trespass by AAP MLA Venzy Viegas into their Panaji office. The confrontation underscores rising political tensions in the coastal state, where AAP has been vocal in opposition to BJP's governance.

AAP Goa vice president Chetan Kamat dismissed BJP Yuva Morcha (BJYM) chief Tushar Kelkar's claims that Viegas and supporters unlawfully entered the BJP headquarters during a protest last week against Kankonkar's assault. Kelkar reportedly warned Viegas not to underestimate the BJYM's one lakh members, prompting the AAP's sharp retort. "We are not afraid of the threat," Kamat told reporters, advising Kelkar to study a book on former Prime Minister and BJP icon Atal Bihari Vajpayee for lessons in public conduct and leadership. AAP youth wing president Rohan Naik announced that the party has lodged a police complaint against Kelkar for issuing threats, further intensifying the standoff.

Kankonkar, a prominent local activist known for advocating against land encroachments and environmental issues in Goa, was viciously attacked by a gang in the Caranzalem area of Panaji on September 18. The assault, which left him with severe injuries, including head trauma, has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society and opposition parties.

Panaji police have arrested seven suspects, including notorious history-sheeter Zenito Cardoso, a figure with prior criminal records linked to organised crime in the region. Investigations point to possible motives tied to Kankonkar's anti-corruption campaigns, though authorities have not ruled out political angles.

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Naik reiterated that the BJP's focus on the trespass allegation is a deliberate ploy to overshadow the violence against Kankonkar, calling for a thorough probe into the attack's broader implications.

As Goa approaches local elections, this episode highlights deepening divides between the AAP - seeking to expand its footprint after recent assembly gains - and the BJP, which holds power with a majority in the 40-seat legislative assembly. Civil rights groups have urged impartial investigations to prevent further escalation, emphasising the need for political restraint in addressing vigilante threats.

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