Hundreds of AAP workers on Tuesday protested against the casino industry in Panaji, with the party demanding closure of the five offshore casinos and 10 onshore casinos functioning out of five star resorts in the State.
Speaking to The Pioneer after staging the protest outside offshore casino offices in the State capital, AAP Goa convenor Elvis Gomes said that the previous Congress and BJP Governments were responsible for the flourishing casino industry in Goa and that if AAP comes to power then it would ban casinos, both onshore and offshore, in Goa.
“Both the Congress and BJP have betrayed Goa on the casinos issue, AAP is the only hope for the people of Goa. Once we come to power, we will make sure Goa is casino-free and the future of Goa is without casinos,” Gomes said, adding that the Tuesday’s protests were only token in nature and that the AAP would increase the intensity of the protests against the casino industry.
last week during a video address, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP co-founder Arvind Kejriwal had also said that AAP was the only political party, which would be able to ban casinos, which he said were ruining Goa’s youth and culture.
“Everyone in Goa want casinos to shut shop. Both, the BJP and the Congress could not do it because leaders from both parties are tied up with casino lobby. Only the AAP can stop casinos. It can stop the ruin of Goan culture,” Kejriwal had said.