New Delhi: Taking forward their anti-corruption narrative that won them the Delhi elections to Goa, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) selected Elvis Gomes as the chief ministerial candidate for the state. 53-year-old Gomes, a former bureaucrat, is also the party’s state convener.
This anti-corruption agenda of the AAP may have failed as trends show that the party is yet to secure a seat in the Goa legislative assembly. Gomes, who contested from the Cuncolim assembly constituency in South Goa, is trailing in the fourth position.
Contesting elections for the first time, Gomes took voluntary retirement as an official in the state government in 2016 and subsequently joined politics. At the time, Gomes was the inspector general prisons and urban development secretary in Goa.
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AAP, which is in power in Delhi, contested elections for the first time in Goa and Punjab. Trends on election commission show that while they have failed to secure a seat in Goa, they are trailing in Punjab.
“There is a gem amongst these candidates. His name is Elvis Gomes. He has spent 20 years in Goa administration. If he wanted he could have made crores. He has spent time in very senior positions but hasn’t made a penny. He is a real honest officer. He is respected and loved by people from all religions,” Delhi chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said, while announcing Gomes as the party’s chief ministerial candidate in a rally in Goa in December.
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The AAP national convener and Goa state convener have a lot in common. Both have worked as government officials and both quit their postings, citing reasons of corruption and political interference. During his time in the Goa government, Gomes had been in a constant tussle with the state government which he said was a key reason for his resignation.
“There is no end to corruption here. It is not the chief minister or any other minister, but the situation is such that the lowest functionary in the government can also have its say on the decision-making or governance,” Gomes said, while joining the party.
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Corruption has been the central theme of the party’s campaign in the run-up to the polls in Goa. As the chief ministerial candidate, Gomes launched a campaign to visit each constituency in the run-up to election.
Having worked in the administration of various state governments in Goa, Gomes has the advantage of having seen their functioning and shortcomings closely. He has said that a priority for him would be to improve the governance structure, make it efficient and transparent.
PTI contributed to the story.
