the goan I network
MAPUSA
Questioning Goa Forward supremo and TCP Minister Vijai Sardessai’s decision to juxtapose his photograph along with that of the first opposition leader Dr Jack Sequeira on banners hoisted across Goa, former WRD Minister and BJP leader from Siolim, Dayanand Mandrekar said the people of Goa gave him a befitting response by blackening his face on the banner.
“The other day while travelling from Banda to Goa, we noticed several banners where only Vijay Sardessai’s face was blackened. But there was not a spot on Dr Jack Sequeira,” Mandrekar said while addressing a news conference in Siolim on Thursday morning.
“It clearly shows the people of Goa are aware the contribution of a tall leader of the caliber of Dr Jack Sequeira and we need to compliment Goans for this,” he added.
Speaking further, he said pasting one’s picture alongside any leader was no big deal but the point was whether one had the “stature” to compare with that leader.
The four-time former Siolim BJP MLA said BJP has taken an informed and correct decision not to install any more statues in the precincts of the assembly. “Dayanand Bandodkar’s statue has been stalled because he is the first CM of the State and a tall Bahujan Samaj leader. If we agree to install Dr Jack Sequeira’s statue, tomorrow some others demand will come,” he said.
He further said there was no issue if the government planned to introduce a subject on Opinion Poll in the school curriculum. “Around 40 years back, we had our first CM and we also had the first opposition leader in the State then. This history should definitely be added in the school curriculum,” he said.
Clearly hinting at the TCP minister, the former WRD minister blamed politicians for trying to drive a wedge between the majority and minority community in the State.
“We have several festivals where both“ Hindus and Christians “ openly take part. I don’t understand why our politicians indulge in activities to divide communities,” Mandrekar said.
