After failing to open its account in the recently-held Goa assembly polls, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to let local leaders play a more prominent role in the state instead of relying on leaders from outside to expand the base.
After its poll debacle in Goa, AAP held two meetings in Panaji to analyse party's performance and to decide the future course of action.
"During AAP's meeting held last week, it was observed that due to the presence of leaders and volunteers from outside the state, the opposition parties labelled us as a party of outsiders," AAP leader Elvis Gomes, who was projected as party's chief ministerial face in the state polls, told PTI today.
"It has now been decided that we (local leaders) should take up the leadership in future," Gomes, who lost to a Congress candidate from Cuncolim constituency, said.
The Arvind Kejriwal-led party had claimed that it would sweep the February 4 Goa assembly polls. In the run-up to the elections, several AAP leaders, including Kejriwal and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sosodia had campaigned for the party. However, the party failed to win even a single seat.
Gomes said the party would continue its work in Goa by expanding its base. "The candidates who contested the election on AAP ticket, had attended both the meeting. The party is open for more leaders to join," he said.
"Our doors are open for the leaders from outside. There are many people, who have contacted us," he said.
Gomes said AAP would be supporting candidates in a few areas during the upcoming Panchayat elections, scheduled to be held in May 2017.
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