PANAJI
Speaking in Panaji, GPCC president Luizinho Faleiro stated, “In one of its executive committee meeting, the GPCC has resolved to work towards removal of casinos from Goa and not just from Mandovi. It is argued that the casinos generate revenue of Rs 200 crore and is a ‘necessary evil’, Congress wishes to have an opinion poll on the matter.”
In the same breath, GPCC president Luizinho Faleiro admitted that most political parties including BJP, Congress, MGP and their coalition partners have been party to the casino business directly or indirectly.
“When the casino industry was conceptualized in the State, the plan was to locate them in the deep seas and not in River Mandovi. Now, it is time to weed casinos out of Goa. We will ask the government to conduct this opinion poll. Consultation will take place within the party in 15 days over holding this opinion poll,” Faleiro stated.
GPCC also invited all Goan NGOs, social, cultural and religious organization including the Church for a dialogue on casinos. Faleiro further insisted that casino advertisements should be banned in a manner similar to banning of tobacco and liquor ads.
Congress sought to highlight that the BJP-led government’s recently-announced tourism policy has linked drugs and prostitution with casino industry. “We, on the other hand, intend to uproot the vices of casinos, drugs, price rise, unemployment, prostitution,” Faleiro declared.
Meanwhile, the GPCC president flanked by All India Congress Committee secretary Dr Chella Kumar explained that the picture of an alliance should gain clarity by September 30, by when the PCC will have screened the list of candidates it has received from the grassroots.
AICC secretary Dr Chella Kumar said, “The high command always listens to the pradesh election committee. We are not thinking about alliance right now and are focusing on strengthening the party organization. Congress is not a social club.”
Congress also criticised the hoardings put up by the Aam Admi Party (AAP) across the State claiming victory of AAP with an alleged vote share of 35 per cent.
Faleiro requested Goan electorate to turn down both the Gujarat model as well as the Delhi model at the upcoming polls. “In the coming elections, we want neither the Gujarat model nor the Delhi model. We want a Goa model developed through 100 per cent consultation with Goans,” he said.
It was informed that the much-awaited chargesheet and failure report against the BJP and AAP will be launched in a week’s time. Apart from this, a Goa-centric vision document, mission statement and manifesto for the 2017 polls are also expected to be developed through a consultative process.
