MARGAO
Asserting that the Congress party stands for tolerance and respect for different ideas and ideologies, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief Girish Chodankar on Thursday made a fervent plea to all Congressmen to be careful while speaking in public as tolerance and non-violence are the guiding principles of Congress party since its inception.
Leader of the Opposition, Babu Kavlekar said the Quit India slogan, which paved the way for the country’s Independence, is very much relevant today and should be directed at those who are creating divisions and hatred in the country.
Addressing Congress workers at Rumdamol village on Thursday, Chodankar was clear that Congressmen should stick to the ideology of tolerance and respect for all opinions. “Our ideology and culture teaches us to respect even our enemies. This is our ideology. It is our history that we treat our enemies with respect,” Chodankar said, as his speech was heard with rapt attention by Congress workers against the backdrop of the recent remarks made by party veteran Pratapsing Rane on the floor of the House on Goans cleaning toilets abroad.
Speaking at the 76th anniversary of Quit India Movement at Davorlim Housing Board, Chodankar turning his tirade at the ruling BJP, said the political parties ruling the country are now preaching the people on nationalism, saying they had never made any sacrifices for the sake of the country.
In his address, Leader of the Opposition Babu Kavlekar said those forces who are hell bent on spreading hatred and communalism should be asked to quit the country.
Senior Congress leader M K Sheikh and others also addressed the function. Freedom fighter Tulsidas Malkarnekar was honoured by the Congress on the occasion.
Congress reiterates demand for ban on fish import
MARGAO: The Congress on Thursday reiterated its demand for a ban on the import of fish into the State, virtually questioning the mechanism employed by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to check the fish carrying trucks at the border.
While State Congress president Girish Chodankar said the ban on imported fish should continue in the interest of the health and safety of Goans, Leader of the Opposition, Babu Kavlekar raised many an eyebrow on the testing facilities employed by the FDA. “The government should not succumb to the fish mafia. It is the question of the safety and health of the citizens. The ban on imported fish should continue,” Chodankar demanded.
Kavlekar, on the other hand, wondered whether the checking of vehicles at the Polem and Patradevi borders is foolproof, demanding to know whether small vehicles laden with fish is checked at the borders. “
