GFP alleges ‘political hijack’ of anti-Section 39A agitation

MARGAO
The Goa Forward Party on Tuesday stated that while it stands in "full solidarity" with MLA Viresh Borkar and retired chief justice Ferdino Rebello's movement, it will not "allow its leaders to be used as pawns in personal political agendas".
Addressing the media, Goa Forward Party joint secretary Vikas Bhagat and general secretary Mohandas Lolienkar appealed to all opposition forces and civil society to remain united in defending democracy and scrapping Section 39A.
“This is about Goa’s future, not about individual egos. When an elected MLA is manhandled, it is democracy that is assaulted. Enough is enough. Everyone must unite,” they said.
They said that while the protest began with unity against the controversial Section 39A and the police brutality faced by an elected representative, certain individuals allegedly attempted to hijack the movement for personal political gain.
Issuing a detailed statement clarifying the party's position and actions during the protest, Bhagat explained that after MLA Borkar was manhandled by police at the TCP office, GFP president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai immediately reached out to him, expressed solidarity and called upon all opposition leaders to unite in support.
He, however, said that without any prior consultation, a decision was suddenly announced to march to the private residence of TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane. This, he stressed, was not discussed with any leaders present. Sardesai, he said, took an immediate and principled stand, refusing to be part of any such move.
Accusing RGP chief Manoj Parab of pushing his own agenda by targeting GFP, Bhagat questioned why Parab believed only he had the right to speak for Goa and pointed out that Sardesai has called out the government on the issue of Section 39A on the floor of the Assembly, records of which are available for anyone to verify.
Lolienkar added a sharper critique, alleging that Parab’s "drama" was a result of "internal fears and personal ambitions".
He observed that the issue was first brought to light by Justice Ferdino Rebello, and some individuals feared that the credit for the movement would go to him, leading them to attempt a takeover.
He defended Sardesai's now-famous remark about not being "cattle", explaining that it referred to the tendency to blindly follow a herd without principle, which he felt Parab failed to grasp.