Goa: Kejriwal backs protest against land rule, demands abolition

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday extended support to the ongoing agitation against alleged misuse of Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act , demanding its immediate abolition.

The protest is being led by Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) MLA Viresh Borkar, who has been staging a demonstration at Azad Maidan in Panaji. He has alleged that Section 39A is being misused to convert land into “settlement zones,” where construction activities are permitted, raising concerns over transparency and governance.

Addressing a gathering during the inauguration of an e-library in South Goa’s Benaulim Assembly constituency, Kejriwal said the provision allegedly creates scope for corruption among ministers and officials . He stated that people in Goa are demanding the repeal of the section and urged the government to call a special assembly session if necessary to abolish it.

Kejriwal added that regulatory provisions should promote development but must not enable discretionary misuse. He extended support to the protest and said governance must reflect public concerns.

AAP, which holds two seats in the Goa Assembly , was represented at the event by its Goa desk in-charge Atishi and Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that Borkar had been requested to withdraw the protest but has chosen to continue. The government maintains that land-use regulations are part of structured planning mechanisms aimed at balancing development and environmental protection.

The controversy has intensified political debate in Goa, with demands for either abolition or reform of the contentious provision gaining momentum.