A devastating late-night fire at an illegally operating nightclub in Arpora, Goa, claimed several lives and left many critically injured. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) expressed profound grief over the tragedy, with AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Goa Prabhari Atishi and state president Amit Palekar extending heartfelt condolences to the affected families. The AAP held the BJP government responsible for the incident and called on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to accept moral responsibility and resign. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal took to ‘X’ and wrote: “Deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident at Arpora, Goa, that has claimed several precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for speedy recovery of the injured. May all those affected find strength and solace during this devastating time.
Administration asleep?
AAP’s Goa Prabhari Atishi took to ‘X’ and wrote: “Shocked and pained to learn about the tragic fire that claimed 23 lives at a nightclub in Arpora, Goa. Heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this devastating incident. Goa govt must swiftly investigate the lapses, ensure accountability and take stringent action against those responsible.” AAP Goa President Amit Palekar on Sunday visited the victims admitted to the hospital after the devastating nightclub fire. During this, AAP Goa State President Amit Palekar said, “Five patients are currently being treated in the burn unit, including a young woman whose condition is extremely critical as she has suffered 28 percent burns. A doctor was also injured in the incident, though his condition is relatively better. This tragic incident has already taken 25 lives. The way this happened, and with the Chief Minister himself admitting that the club was operating illegally without permission, raises a serious question: was the administration asleep?
Has no control over the administration
Recalling his year-long warnings on illegal operations and extortion rackets in Goa, the AAP Goa President stated, “I have been saying for the past one year that there is rampant ‘hafta vasooli’ and extortion in the state. Many clubs operate without permission because officials are paid hafta. I even publicly revealed names, yet the government took no action. The Chief Minister’s statement after the incident is nothing but crocodile tears. Ordering a magisterial inquiry is mere paperwork. These deaths could have been prevented. Why has the administration not acted against these illegal clubs till now? Why were they allowed to run without any safety standards?” Amit Palekar also rebutted the DGP’s initial claim blaming a cylinder blast, saying the version shared by an injured doctor tells a very different story. “The doctor told us they were eating when a show began. Behind the dancers, flares—fireworks—were ignited, which caused the ceiling made of dry grass to catch fire within 15 to 30 seconds. Burning fragments then fell onto the sofas. In panic, people ran towards the basement, where they died of suffocation, not burns. This proves there was no exit plan and no safety arrangements whatsoever.” Calling the government’s compensation of ₹2 lakh “inadequate and shameful,” Amit Palekar said, “In the eyes of this government, a human life has no value. If the government cuts down a few events or stops the commissions involved in them, it can easily provide proper compensation to the victims. This government is directly responsible for these deaths; its hands are stained with blood. BJP CM Pramod Sawant holds most departments, yet he has no control over the administration.
Justice for the victims
Raising serious concerns about tourist safety in Goa, the AAP Goa President added, “Families of victims are traumatised and are saying they will never return to Goa. They did not even receive an ambulance on time. This shows that the administration has collapsed completely and that everything is functioning on God’s mercy.” Demanding accountability, he said, “The CM must resign immediately, taking responsibility for this administrative failure. The local panchayat, sarpanch, secretary and police officers should also be named as accused, as this illegal business operated right under their noses. This is not just an incident—it is a tragedy that has destroyed families and taken away their breadwinners.” Amit Palekar further noted that AAP and its Working President Valmiki Naik have raised these issues in dozens of press conferences, but the government chose to look the other way. “If the DGP gives a statement about a cylinder blast without investigation, it raises serious questions about his mindset. The Aam Aadmi Party will fight at every level, from the streets to all institutions, to ensure justice for the victims,” he said.