Insisting that he had joined the BJP for the development of Mandrem constituency, BJP's candidate for the Mandrem bypoll Dayanand Sopte says he has received support from different sections of society. In an interview with THE GOAN, Sopte lists out reasons for his departure from the Congress and his plans for Mandrem constituency
How confident are you about your campaigning and victory?
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I have completed election campaigning from Tiracol to Virnoda. I am confident that the people from Mandrem constituency will vote in my favour on April 23. I will get elected by a margin of at least 8-10,000 votes. Let opponents criticise me or hurl abuses at me as many times as they like during the course of the remaining seven days, it will not affect my victory margin at all.
I have been getting overwhelming response from all sections of the society, not only from Hindus, but also from the Catholic and other minority communities. Sarpanchas, panchas, local leaders and party workers are also taking an active part in my election campaigning.
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After being elected as Congress MLA, why did you quit Congress?
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My opponents allege that I had quit the Congress party for selfish gains. I wish to tell them that have I joined BJP only for the development of Mandrem constituency. I have given more importance and priority to the problems of people, rather than politics or position.
The Congress party could not form the government during the course of last one-and-half years despite securing maximum seats in the last assembly election. While in Congress, I tried my best to promote development of Mandrem constituency, but could not succeed.
I realised then that it was impossible for me to achieve the objectives of all round development of Mandrem, the way I desired, by continuing in the Congress party. After pondering deeply, I took the decision to quit the Congress and support the BJP for the development of Mandrem and for the better future of unemployed youths of my constituency.
I took the decision to join BJP to provide stability to the government and for the development of Goa, after discussing the matter with my party workers.
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What difference have you noticed after joining the BJP?
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I provided jobs to several unemployed youth of Mandrem in government departments. Within the course of three months, I got sufficient funds from the government and started development works in Mandrem constituency. Development works, which were pending, were also re-started. I believe in Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas.
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How will you address the health issues in Mandrem constituency?
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A hospital will come up at Murmuse-Tuem. I plan to provide all modern facilities at this hospital so that the people of my constituency should get all types of treatment available at Goa Medical College Hospital at Bambolim. I will strive to make available highly qualified doctors and best of the medical equipments in this hospital. To achieve this objective, I appeal to the voters to get me elected.
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What about other development works in Mandrem?
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I have undertaken several development works which I will try to complete at the earliest to make Mandrem a 'Sujalam Sufalam' constituency. I will endeavour to redress all problems in Mandrem constituency to make it one of the prosperous constituencies in the State.
I have assured the electorate that I will pursue beatification of internal roads, construction of culverts, employment to unemployed youth, development works in each panchayat with the cooperation of panch members, bringing more land under cultivation, giving boost to agricultural activities, providing necessary assistance to farmers to motivate them to do farming, construction of a Kala Mandir for the benefit of artistes, implementation of all schemes of the central government, gym and sports ground in each panchayat for the sports lovers, beatification of natural spots in the coastal belt to attract more tourists, changing rooms and other facilities on the beaches. Besides, the problem of fishermen will be redressed so that fishing activities in the coastal belt are improved.
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