the goan I network
PANAJI
The Congress on Friday slammed the meeting between Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Delhi on Thursday and the former’s claims made to the media thereafter, particularly on the Mhadei imbroglio, as a “jumla” with an eye on the ongoing Zilla Panchayat elections.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president, Girish Chodankar challenged Prime Minister to make a public statement that he had given an assurance he will protect Goa’s interests in the Mhadei dispute with Karnataka.
Sawant had on Thursday claimed he had raised the Mhadei matter with Modi and pleaded that no permissions be granted to Karnataka in a hurry. He had also claimed that at the meeting, discussions were also held on resumption of mining and also the Zilla Panchayat elections.
Sawant had tweeted post the meeting thus: “The Prime Minister has assured continued support and co-operation for Goa’s cause.”
“This is another jumla to woo voters at Zilla Panchayat elections. BJP has mastered the art of fooling people and the Chief Minister’s visit to Delhi is a part of the same,” Chodankar said on Friday. The GPCC chief also said that the PM should make a “public statement” to confirm Sawant’s claim that he had assured to protect Goa’s interests on Mhadei and also resumption of mining. The ZP elections are slated to be held on March 22. They are being fought on political party lines with the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress, the major contenders in the hustings having fielded 41 and 31 candidates respectively.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded 21 and is supporting three other Independents, including their 2017 Assembly election candidate Cecille Rodrigues, who entered the fray and thwarted another no-contest like Sancoale in Taleigao. The BJP has already won the Sancoale seat uncontested.
