MARGAO
Congress-turned-BJP Margao MLA Digambar Kamat’s criticism of former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi for the 1975 Emergency has evoked strong reactions from his young challengers “ Congress leader Chirag Naik and convenor of Madganvcho Ekvott Prabhav Naik.
While Chirag has hit out at Digambar, saying an undeclared emergency prevails in Margao, Prabhav quipped “For Madganvkars, the real Emergency is not from the past, it is the ongoing crisis of being represented by a man who stands for nothing but his own political survival.”
Chirag stated that while Kamat has made “incorrect” claims about the Constitution, an undeclared emergency is currently prevailing in Margao, where people’s voices and rights are being systematically suppressed. “I strongly condemn the statements made by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat on the Constitution and the Emergency. Of late, he has been making irresponsible remarks. He is clearly eyeing a cabinet berth and seeking power, and in the process, he has taken the people for granted,” Chirag said.
He added: “Kamat is out of touch with the sentiments and emotions of the people. As a responsible citizen, legislator, and former Chief Minister, he should know better. Yet, he continues to make such statements”.
Saying the Emergency was declared as per the provisions of the Constitution, Chirag lamented “today in Margao, an unconstitutional emergency is underway. People’s fundamental rights and freedom of thought are being stifled. He shows no concern for the people of Margao. Residents are fearful, and he is exploiting that fear”.
Prabhav, on the other hand, said the need of the hour is for Madganvkars to rise, not just against one man, but against the entire culture of dishonesty he represents, along with his proxy operators, crony capitalists, and the corrupt systems they thrive in. “Let this be a message to all - Madganvkars will not be fooled again”, he said.
Prabhav recalled that the Margao MLA Digambar Kamat in 2020 had publicly praised former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s decisions, calling them action taken in the nation’s interest. “Fast forward to 2025, and the same man now questions that very era. “This blatant double-speak is nothing new to the people of Margao, it’s just the same actor reciting a new script,” he said.
