MARGAO
The Goa Forward Party kicked off its 2017 Assembly election campaign from the Multipurpose ground at Fatorda on Monday, with party mentor, MLA Vijai Sardesai saying the party will amend the laws to make it mandatory for outsiders to tie-up with local Goan partners if they wish to start ventures in the field of mining and tourism.
He also reiterated his resolve to amend laws to give special status for Goa and protect the land, identity and heritage of Goa.
At an impressive “Goal17” rally held at the Multipurpose grounds on Monday evening, Sardesai urged Goans to teach the BJP for going back on its promise to give Goa special status category and for causing immense hardships to the people on account of the demonetisation of currency. He also warned the Congress to pay heed to the aspirations of 70 per cent of Goans looking for a change in government, saying Congress party leaders and their children will suffer a curse from the people of Goa if the party doesn’t act and meet the aspirations of Goa.
He warned the Congress leadership that a political earthquake is likely to rock Sattari after November 20.
“In Himachal Pradesh and Dubai, one has to tie-up with local people if you want to start any business venture. The Goa Forward Party will amend the laws to ensure that outsiders will have to tie-up with locals in mining and tourism sector. We will also amend the laws to replace the Madhya Pradesh Sound Act. Laws will also be amended to protect our land and identity and realise the dreams of Goans on special status,” Vijai said.
Launching an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijai demanded to know who’s this “Modi” to ask for receipts of gold transactions from goldsmiths, while saying that the PM is silent on recovering the black money stashed in foreign banks abroad. He also took a dig at the local BJP for stopping a host of projects initiated by him during the last four-years-and-half. And, he also lambasted the AAP and accused the BJP leaders, including Manohar Parrikar for getting AAP into Goa.
In his address, city-based cardiologist, Dr Francisco Colaco called upon the people to vote for Goa Forward Party, saying a vote for AAP is a vote of the BJP.
He said the Congress is not showing any inclination to bring together all secular forces to fight the BJP. “The time has come to save Goa and only Goa Forward Party can save Goa,” Dr Colaco added.
Prakash Bandodkar, Jayesh Salgaocar, Tito Cardozo, Ramdas Hazare and others also addressed the rally.
