Says party had not given assurances in 2012 election manifesto
the goan I network
PANAJI
However, to protect Goa’s land, the BJP has appealed to all Goans not to sell their land to non-Goans.
Addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters in Panaji, BJP State President Vinay Tendulkar said, “We read in a newspaper that there is a demand that chief minister should resign as regard the special status to Goa. We had not even promised special status in our manifesto. Congress should not make any allegations to defame us.”
When asked about BJP’s stand on special status, Tendulkar said, “We have received about Rs 9500 crore for the Zuari project and the work has already started. Similarly works on several infrastructure projects have begun. Gadkari has also promised Rs 10,000 crore for the Mumbai-Goa highway. We have also received additional 10 per cent benefits under 14th finance commission. So the question that remains is only about sale of land by Goans. We appeal to all Goans not to send their lands to non-Goans. Earlier, some outsiders used to buy land in Goa using black money. Now with the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes from transaction, it will stop.”
Party’s Organising Secretary Sadanand Shet Tanawade said, “BJP Government at the Centre has provided all the financial assistance required to the State Government. So the question that remains is only about sale of land. So if every Goan decides not to sell their land, then there will be no buyers also. This is possible only of we ourselves decide it.”
When asked about the State Assembly’s resolution on special status which was taken unanimously, Tanawade said, “Party has not passed any resolution. We have not mentioned it anywhere in our manifesto. Whatever financial assistance was needed, the centre has already provided the State Government. Our stand is very clear.”
Taking a dig at GPCC President Luizinho Faleiro, Tanwade said, “Luizinho Faleiro, who is promising special status to Goa, could not do it when his own government was in power from 2004 to 2014. He was close to Sonia Gandhi. Then why was he not able to fulfill this demand during their tenure. He is making such promises because he knows his government will not come to power.”
