the goan I network
MARGAO
Calling the BJP government a government representing mergerists, Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesdai fired a salvo at the ruling dispensation on the eve of the anniversary of Opinion Poll day, asserting that the government is not celebrating the historic day because it is being represented by the 43 per cent of people who had voted for the merger of Goa with neighbouring Maharashtra.
He challenged the government to explain why the state did not commemorate the historic day when the Education department has sent a circular to the institutions to celebrate January 16 as Constitution Day.
Justifying his statement, he said the same government has sabotaged plans of the local self-government body, the Margao Municipal Council to install a statue of Dr Jack de Sequeira at the Opinion Poll square.
Addressing young students of Carmel college and citizens at a progamme “The Opinion Poll Day “ a reconnect” organized by the Margao Municipal Council and Carmel College, Nuvem, at the Opinion Poll square near Ravindra Bhavan, Sardesai warned the people to beware of the mergerists, saying “unlike in 1967, when they wanted to merge Goa with Maharashtra, they want to now merge parts of Maharashtra, including Dodamarg with the state.”
“In 1967, Goa had retained its separate identity by winning the Opinion Poll. But, it was not a sweeping victory, but a simply victory of 54 per cent versus 43 per cent. I want to warn you that this 43 per cent are still there in Goa and are now ruling the state as evident by the fact that the government has no official function to commemorate the historic day,” he said, warning that Goans will become a minority in their homeland if the government has its way.
Saying that Goa is a unique state, where there’s perfect communal amity, where tolerance level is at its highest, Vijai said Goans should remain alert to plans by divisive forces to dilute this identity. “I challenge the government to cite even one reason why Opinion Poll should not be commemorated in the state,” he said.
Sounding a warning, Sardesai said though Muslims are suffering because of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) today, other minorities, including the Christians may not be safe in the country if the divisive forces get their way.
“All this can cost Goa and its identity. Our identity had been a shield against divisive forces,” he said, while saying that people should be on their guard forever.
‘Opinion Poll no longer priority of government’
MARGAO: Saying the Opinion Poll square had become a reality when he was a key minister in the Manohar Parrikar government, Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai said the government had given nod for the Opinion Poll square when the regional party had almost created a situation that the party withdraw support to the government if Dr Jack de Sequeira’s statue does not take shape in the Assembly complex. “That time, as a key minister in the Cabinet, I had insisted that the government install Dr Jack de Sequeira’s statue, but the government was not ready to relent. Finally, as a consolation, the government sanctioned the Opinion Poll square. Then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was not sure whether he would inaugurate the Square,” he said, adding “now, the Opinion Poll is not on the priority list of the government.”
