Following a crushing defeat in the Goa district panchayat elections, senior leader Amit Palekar has resigned from the AAP, accusing the top leadership of a lack of communication and transparency in the decision-making process.
Goa Politics: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Goa has suffered a major setback with the resignation of senior leader and former party chief Amit Palekar. The resignation comes days after the party’s poor performance in the district panchayat elections. Palekar stated that the lack of communication and the tendency to make unilateral decisions by the top leadership compelled him to take this step.
The AAP’s performance in the district panchayat elections held in December 2025 was deeply disappointing. The party won only one seat out of a total of 50. The party fielded candidates in 42 seats and supported one independent candidate. In this election, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 29 seats, while its ally, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), secured three seats.
Allegations Against AAP’s Senior Leadership
In his resignation letter, Amit Palekar criticized the party’s national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, and the top leadership. He stated that decisions are taken only by the top leadership when communication and consultation are limited. Palekar clarified that this situation puts pressure on institutions and is disheartening for a movement with a democratic methodology.
He said that he did not enter politics for position or power. Palekar decided to join the AAP with the belief that the party would offer an alternative political culture, one based on transparency, internal democracy, and respect for voices from the grassroots level.
Lack of Alignment with Party Ideals
Palekar stated that the way decisions are made and communicated to workers makes it difficult to maintain alignment with the party’s ideals. He also mentioned in his resignation that this step was not taken in anger or haste, but with self-respect and clarity, keeping his colleagues and the people of the St. Cruz constituency in mind.
Palekar also said that he will continue to work for Goa and the people of his constituency. He also thanked all the workers and supporters who accompanied him on his journey.
Impact on Election Results
The AAP’s performance in the district panchayat elections appears to have weakened its position in Goa. Winning only one seat made it clear that the party is still struggling to establish a b foothold in the state’s politics. The BJP and its ally, the MGP, secured a clear majority in this election, raising questions about the AAP’s strategy and leadership capabilities.
