BJP seeks Arvind Kejriwal's apology for 'defaming' Goa

During his rally in Panaji, Kejriwal had said that Goa has turned into drugs, sex and gambling destination

Accusing AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of defaming Goa, BJP today demanded his apology for stating that the coastal state has become a destination for "sex, drug and gambling".

"Kejriwal should apologise to the people of Goa for making statements which defame the state. He should apologise for terming Goa as drugs, sex and gambling destination," BJP state unit president Vinay Tendulkar told reporters.

In his maiden rally in Panaji, Kejriwal had stated that "tourism in Goa is suffering. The state has turned into drugs, sex and gambling destination under the BJP government".

Tendulkar said the AAP leader has "insulted" local people with his remarks which are "far away from reality".

Challenging Kejriwal, who yesterday kicked off AAP's poll campaign for Goa Assembly polls next year, the BJP leader said, "Goans are smart enough to decide their future. I challenge Kejriwal to save deposit (of AAP candidates) in at least one constituency during the Assembly polls".

Kejriwal had accused the BJP of "continuing with the corrupt practices initiated by the previous Congress governments".

"In the current situation there is no opposition to BJP in Goa in the form of any political party. AAP has failed to get representation even in panchayats. The party should get their roots in place first before speaking about contesting and winning 40 Goa Assembly constituencies," Tendulkar said.

Debunking Kejriwal's charge that BJP has failed to fulfil electoral promises it had made in 2012, Tendulkar said, "the party has completed 85 per cent of the promises made in the election manifesto of 2012 polls".

On Kejriwal's allegation that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was concentrating less on his ministry and more on Goa, Tendulkar said, "the AAP leader should not teach politics to Parrikar who has been in this field for last 25 years".