PANAJI: Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA Vijai Sardesai has hinted that a new banner reflecting the wishes of Goans could emerge following the reported disappearance of GFP-AAP hoardings carrying the message, “Congress & BJP cheated you twice. Don’t let them cheat you the third time,” from locations across Goa.
“Maybe a new banner which Goans want will come,” Sardesai said while responding to the removal of the GFP-AAP banner on Tuesday.
Sardesai backed the idea of a Grand Alliance of opposition parties against the BJP, saying political decisions should be guided by public sentiment. “In an economy, the consumer is king, and likewise, in a democracy, the voter is king,” he said.
He said Goans want opposition parties to come together and warned that political leaders could face the voters’ response if they fail to act according to public expectations. “If we don’t do what people want, they will teach us a lesson,” Sardesai said. Sardesai said the focus should remain on Goa and its interests, rather than national political developments. “Goans want us to come together for rice-curry. I don’t know where this kachori-samosa came from,” he said.
On talks with Congress, Sardesai said discussions had commenced and that efforts were moving in the direction of opposition unity. “I don’t want the Delhi politics impact to come to Goa,” Sardesai said.
The Aam Aadmi Party has meanwhile hardened its stance, saying it stands with the people of Goa and not with the BJP-Congress “Joint Venture”. The party reiterated that its “Goa First” platform is a non-BJP, non-Congress platform.
