On the eve of Panaji by-elections, independent candidate Samir Kelekar claimed the support of AAP MlA representing Malviya Nagar, brandishing a letter in which Bharati personally endorses his candidature.
Addressing the media, Kelekar said that he and Bharati are close friends and both were the alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology and have worked together on several issues in the past.
“I know Samir. He is my IIT fellow. We have worked together on several social issues over the years. He is non-corruptible and a person of integrity. I believe he is the right candidate for Panaji, someone who will take up the cause of Aam Aadmi,” Bharati has said in the email.
Kelekar said that while the Aam Aadmi Party hasn’t officialy endorsed his candidature AAP was a ‘friendly party’ and that their philosophies were in tandem. Kelekar also expressed confidence of winning the Panaji by-elections and was expecting a repeat of the Delhi election where the people would vote out both the Congress and the BJP.