MAPUSA
Disapproving the “loud” propaganda and “false” promises being made by the new political parties in the State, Ports Minister and Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo on Sunday vouched for old (traditional) parties and exhorted the people of Goa not to fall prey to promises made by the new parties.Lobo also said that it was for the people of the State to decide whether to retain Goa’s identity or get it wiped off at the hands of the outside parties.
“With the entry of new political parties our Goans are confused, particularly people in Salcete. The new parties want to test whether Goans are going to fall prey to them. They will only divide votes. People of Goa should back political parties which have been there from before and not the new entrants in the field. The new parties are out to sell Goa to ‘gantar’,” Lobo said, while addressing a gathering at a function to inaugurate the beautification of ‘Raponkars Bagh’ at Saunthavaddo, Calangute on Sunday evening.
Lobo did not mention the names of the new political parties but dropped enough hints to indicate that he was targeting the TMC and AAP.
“Some are offering ‘navi sakal’ while some want to bring ‘badal’ in Goa. Goans should think what is good for them. They should not taste new things. We have many old parties. Just because they come out with flashy advertisements we should not get carried away,” he said.
The Calangute MLA who had been critical of his own party appeared to change gears and for the first time spoke out strongly against the new parties, particularly the TMC.
“Some parties have been offering Rs 5,000 to women and a credit card (to youth). How can they afford to fulfill these promises? These are nothing but a pack of lies. Goa is staring at a debt of Rs 24,000 crore and barely manages to pay the salaries of its employees,” he said.
He further said that a company has been entrusted who will be the candidates of the party and how much the candidate will have to be paid.
“They are buying leaders but they can’t buy people. It’s a sheer game of money power,” he said, and warned Goans to remain alert.
He said people of Bardez will not fall prey to the machinations of this outside party and warned people of Salcete to remain alert before taking the next step.
