AAP remembers Goan hero through torch rally

Aam Aadmi Party, which is making an aggressive foray into Goa in view of 2017 Assembly polls, on Sunday kicked off a torch rally to remember Jack Sequeira, credited for laying the foundation for Goa’s statehood in 20th century.

The rally, started from South Goa’s Fatorpa village near Margao town, will travel through few villages and cities before arriving at Panaji tomorrow.

Sequeira was Goa’s first Leader of Opposition who spearheaded a movement for separate statehood during historic Opinion Poll of 1967.

Goa was annexed into India by an Army operation on December 19, 1961. It was integrated into the Indian Union in 1962. Goa’s first polls were held on December 9, 1963.

Sequeira’s family members and friends have welcomed the AAP’s move to remember him.

“As a family, we feel happy that he is remembered by the people. Maybe, by a political party or any individual, we should never forget this hero who fought for Goa’s cause,” Jack Sukhija, a grandson of Sequeira said.

To a query whether they are apprehensive about AAP deriving a political mileage out of Sequeira, Sukhija said, “We (family) don’t know about whether his image will be used for election or not. I cannot say anything.”