n Speakers call Goa Forward mentor a ‘traitor’ n MLAs who fought on anti-BJP plank asked to rnresign, seek fresh mandate n Gov’s failure to invite single largest party to form govt flayed
MARGAO
A largely attended protest rally held at the historic Lohia Maidan here on Saturday evening has demanded that all the newly elected members of the Legislative Assembly who had fought the 2017 elections on anti-BJP manifesto and critical of the BJP and have now formed political alliance with the BJP must first resign from their seats and seek fresh people’s mandate by clearly stating that they seek to support the BJP government.
The meeting has further vowed that they will never vote for candidates, who have betrayed people’s mandate and demanded that the central government dismiss Governor Mridula Sinha, who failed to invite the single largest party to form the government as per the popular mandate.
Speakers came down heavily on Goa Forward mentor Vijai Sardesai for supporting the BJP to form the new government, calling him a traitor, who has betrayed the people of Fatorda in particular and Goans in general by his decision.
The speakers vowed to continue the movement till the Legislators, who have extended support to the BJP against the wishes and mandate of the people, withdraw their decision or resign and go back to the people.
In his address, thinker and businessman Datta Naik said that Vijai has insulted the core values of Goemkarponn, making him and many Goans to wonder what exactly is the meaning of Goemkarponn.
He urged the people to make the Goa Forward party like Sonsodo, by throwing the party in the gutter of time.
Narrating the sequence of events and how they tried to convince the Congress leadership as well as Vijai on the need to support the Congress-led government, Datta said it is now clear that Vijai would have gone to the BJP at any cost. “Let us not fall into the trap laid by Vijai. He has only been giving excuses to defend his decision. But, it is now clear that his move was pre-planned,” Datta added.
Addressing the crowd, former Union Minister Ramakant Khalap came down heavily on Manohar Parrikar for forming the government without the people’s mandate. Recalling how Parrikar had dissolved the Assembly in the past without consulting his cabinet colleagues, Khalap dared Parrikar to dissolve the Assembly and seek people’s mandate.
In his address, eminent cardiologist Dr Francisco Colaco said that Vijai’s decision to support the BJP is the greatest betrayal of all times. Saying that Vijai’s shadow will haunt him in the future, Dr Colaco said Goa will never forget the Fatorda MLA for going against the sentiments of the people.
In his address, activist Aires Rodrigues said that Parrikar no longer talks about zero tolerance to corruption, but Goemkarponn and called upon the people of Goa to boycott the Ministers. “Let us take this as a challenge. We cannot allow Goa to be destroyed by Parrikar. We should defeat him wherever he contest the bypoll,” he said, even as he dared Vijai to deny before Lord Dambab and St Francis Xavier that he has not accepted money to support the BJP dispensation.
All India Congress Secretary Girish Chodankar said that Manohar Parrikar should have contested the election if he planned to take over the mantle of Chief Minister. He said the ongoing struggle will continue till the people’s mandate is restored, while saying that people will forgive them if they comeback by withdrawing support to the government.
Noted tiatrist Francis de Tuem said he had supported Goa Forward and Vijai without realising that he was feeding a cobra.
NCP general Secretary Avinash Bhonsle condemned the decision of Party MLA Churchill Alemao to support the BJP-led government without the permission of the party leadership. He said the party has already issued a show cause notice to Churchill as to why action should not be initiated against him for violating party discipline.
Senior editor Rajan Narayan, Avinash Bhonsle, Swati Kerkar, Avertino Miranda, Jose Marie Miranda also addressed the meeting.
