The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has undertaken a significant leadership overhaul in Goa, appointing senior leader and founding member Valmiki Naik as the president of its state unit. This move comes in the wake of a disappointing performance in the recent zilla panchayat elections and a series of high-profile exits from the party's Goa chapter.
A Fresh Start After Electoral Setback
The appointment, announced on Sunday, January 12, 2026, follows the removal of advocate Amit Palekar from the post last month. The party's decision to contest the local polls alone, rejecting alliances with the Congress and other opposition parties, resulted in a severe drubbing. AAP managed to win just a single seat in Colva, and that too by a slender margin. This poor outcome triggered the shake-up in the state leadership.
In a statement, the party's Political Affairs Committee named the new office bearers for Goa. Alongside Valmiki Naik as president, Gerson Gomes was appointed as the state working president. Prashant Naik and Sandesh Teleikar Dessai were named state organisation secretary and state senior vice-president, respectively.
Internal Dissent and Exits
The leadership change was not without controversy. Amit Palekar, who was relieved of his duties, formally resigned from AAP last Monday. He stated that the manner of his removal was "unacceptable" and that he was unfairly "singled out" for the election debacle. Reports indicate Palekar had advocated for an alliance with opposition parties before the polls, putting him at odds with the party's national leadership.
His exit was followed by three more office-bearers. State general secretary (organisation) Shrikrishna Parab, youth wing president Rohan Naik, and youth wing vice-president Chetan Kamat also announced their departure from the party on the same day, highlighting the internal turmoil.
A Founding Member's Steadfast Commitment
In contrast to the recent exits, the newly appointed chief, Valmiki Naik, emphasized his long-standing loyalty to the party. Speaking to The Indian Express after his elevation, Naik acknowledged having disagreements but stressed his unwavering commitment.
"There are always ups and downs in any party. I have been with the party for over 13 years, and in that time, it could not be said that I was never disappointed, hurt or disagreed with some of the decisions," Naik said. "I never left the party, because I see AAP as a hope for Goa and for India. So, if there are any issues, I have always taken them up internally, and they have been addressed by the party."
He expressed a wish that others with grievances had also resolved them internally. Naik, a part of the original India Against Corruption movement, has held several key positions within AAP, including National Council member, national spokesperson, and roles such as General Secretary and working president in the Goa unit.
Arvind Kejriwal, the party's national convener, congratulated the new team in a post on X. "Goa wants clean politics, jobs for youth and an end to corruption and gundaraj. The people are looking to you for real change," his message read, outlining the core agenda for the revamped state leadership.
Naik echoed this sentiment, stating that AAP's model of people-focused, corruption-free governance is an urgent necessity for both Goa and the country. The party now faces the formidable task of rebuilding its base and credibility in the coastal state after a period of public electoral failure and private internal strife.
