Panaji, October 25, 2025: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa today held a press conference condemning the BJP Government’s move to impose a 20% surcharge on electricity usage between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m., calling it an anti-people and anti-middle-class decision that will further burden already struggling Goans.
Addressing the media, AAP State President Adv. Amit Palekar came down heavily on the government, saying the move exposes the BJP’s insensitivity towards the common man. Displaying an actual electricity bill during the press conference, Palekar revealed that Goans are already paying more than 25% extra charges over the base tariff, even before the new surcharge comes into effect.
“BJP wants to take people of Goa back to the stone age and use lamps during the night. Already, over 25% extra charges are being applied to the base power fare — I have a bill here to prove it. And now, this government wants to penalise people further by charging an additional 20% surcharge,” Palekar said.
He added, “BJP wants to stop you and your family from having a good time together. They want to stop you from watching TV with your family or having dinner together. They don’t want Goans to live with comfort — they want to take us back to the stone age.”
Palekar also raised concerns for EV users, saying the surcharge will discourage people from adopting electric vehicles. “People charge their EV cars and bikes at night after work. This new rule will directly impact all EV users. The same government that encouraged EVs now wants to penalise those who use them. This shows the hypocrisy and incompetence of this government.”
Speaking next, AAP National Youth Vice President Siddesh Bhagat attacked the BJP leadership, calling them “the real Narkasurs of Goa.”
“The only thing being wasted is the taxpayers’ money on these ministers who enjoy all the luxuries of power while looting Goans. This BJP Government and its ministers are the real Narkasurs — determined to burn a hole in every Goan’s pocket,” Bhagat said.
Taking a dig at Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, Bhagat added, “People of Goa should take their EVs to Sudin Dhavalikar’s house and charge them there. If he wants to penalise citizens for using electricity, he should first provide reliable and affordable power. This government has failed on every front — from power to employment — and now wants to punish people for its own inefficiency.”
Concluding the press conference, AAP National Spokesperson Valmiki Naik said the BJP’s policy is designed to benefit industrialists while exploiting ordinary citizens.
“It is a constitutional directive that electricity is a basic necessity, and the state should ensure everyone gets it. But this BJP Government does not believe in the Constitution. They use every basic service — power, water, fuel — as a tool to loot the public,” Naik said.
He added, “The BJP’s model is simple: give discounts to industrialists and loot the common man. AAP believes in providing basic services free to citizens — we have done it in Punjab and Delhi. But wherever the BJP rules, people only face higher taxes, inflated bills, and worsening services.”
The Aam Aadmi Party demanded that the government immediately withdraw the 20% power surcharge, calling it a burden on families, students, and small businesses, and warned that AAP will launch a state-wide agitation if the government continues to exploit Goans through such anti-people policies.
