BOX
PIC: LUIZINHO
LUIZINHO-SPEAK
* ON WOMEN'S QUOTA
Congress has supported the agenda of women empowerment. But it is difficult to select women candidates who will then get elected
* ON SPECIAL STATUS
As the Opposition party, we are ready to consolidate support at both these levels to demand special status for Goa
* ON MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION
The Congress will stand by the decision of the erstwhile Digambar Kamat-led government on the matter
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CONG'S CHALO LOHIA
MAIDAN ON NOV 14
>> See pg 8
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Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Luizinho Faleiro on Friday while stressing on 33 percent quota for women candidates in the 2017 Assembly elections, expressed reservations about their win-ability.
Attempting to explain the hurdles posed by the element of win-ability with regards to reserving 33 per cent of the tickets for women candidates, Faleiro said, “Congress has supported the agenda of women empowerment. But it is difficult to select women candidates who will then get elected.”
Speaking to the media, Faleiro revealed his intentions to ensure that at least 50 per cent of the party tickets for the upcoming Assembly polls are distributed among young and fresh faces. “Congress has many young leaders who are under the age of 35 years. We want these new faces to get at least 50 per cent of the tickets in 2017.”
It was also held that Congress has been a mass-based party as against the cadre-based ones and that the final list of candidates will reflect the aspirations of the masses.
Speaking about the issue of special status, Faleiro underlined Congress’ willingness to pledge support to Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and the BJP government in demanding the special status.
“There couldn’t be a better time than this as the BJP has absolute majority at the Centre and in the State. As the Opposition party, we are ready to consolidate support at both these levels to demand special status for Goa,” he said.
Referring to the question of Medium of Instruction (MoI), Faleiro said that Congress will stand by the decision of the erstwhile Digambar Kamat-led government on the matter.
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WITH CONTINUATION ON PAGE 8
HEADING
‘Chalo Lohia Maidan’ on Nov 14
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
GPCC president Luizinho Faleiro extended an invitation to the people of Goa to converge at the Lohia Maidan, Margao on November 14 at 4 pm to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The meeting will be convened by Margao MLA and former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat. The main aim will be to administer an oath of tolerance so as to cherish, safeguard and upkeep the principle of unity, peace, compassion and brotherhood among the citizens.
Faleiro said, “It is frightening that the government of the day is silent on the systematic propagation of divisive policies founded in intolerance, vendetta, vengeance and hatred of the fringe elements. The assault on secular tenets has increased since the BJP came to power. This meeting intends to encourage pluralism and tolerance.”
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Luizinho Faleiro on Friday revealed his intentions to ensure that at least 50 per cent of the party tickets for the upcoming Assembly polls are distributed among young and fresh faces.
