MARGAO
Goa Forward party-backed Margao Municipal Councillors and party office bearers on Saturday has condemned what they termed as misleading and baseless statements made by former Fatorda MLA and current BJP State President Damu Naik during the BJP’s Karyakarta Melava held in Fatorda on Friday.
President of the Goa Forward Party’s Fatorda Block Peter Fernandes expressed disappointment that instead of acknowledging the visible development in Fatorda, Damu Naik has attempted to discredit years of sincere effort by the sitting MLA Vijai Sardesai. “Damu Naik falsely claimed there is no development here, conveniently forgetting that Fatorda has undergone a complete transformation in the last 13 years. Even a traffic decongestion effort involving the shifting of the St Francis Xavier Chapel was obstructed by Damu’s supporters”, he said.
Margao Municipal Councillor, Nimisha Faleiro said that Damu Naik’s so-called development projects like the South Goa District Collectorate were executed at the cost of local farmers. “The land was acquired without fair compensation, and farmers were left without jobs or livelihood. The South Goa District Hospital lacks basic facilities, and Ravindra Bhavan is leaking. The community rightly fears that if Damu returns, more farms will be lost. In contrast, Vijai Sardesai has protected our farmlands and empowered farmers with seeds, fertilizers, tractors, and support for waterway desilting. That’s why people have trusted him with three consecutive terms”, she said.
She further pointed out that the BJP has pushed a controversial master plan without consulting the people. “Vijai Sardesai never imposes anything on Fatorda’s people without their consent. This imposed plan serves the interests of BJP leaders and their families, not the people. We will resist it at all costs.”
Another MMC Councillor Ravindra Naik said the community had hoped for a changed Damu Naik after he became BJP State President. “But his speech at the Melava only confirmed he is still stuck in his old, failed ways. Even the Chief Minister present must have silently laughed. Damu blames social media for his defeats, but he lost in 2012 during a BJP sweep. His so-called Fatorda BJP unit is built using defectors from Goa Forward.”
He questioned, “Why hasn’t the BJP rebuilt the Kadamba Bus Stand where Modi held a meeting? Why is the Margao Bus Stand still incomplete?”
Ravindra issued a warning: “Damu has taken a supari to make Digambar Kamat a minister and eventually CM. We urge Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to beware of this dangerous alliance.”
They reiterated that Goa Forward Party will carry the successful Fatorda Model of development to other parts of Goa, under the leadership of MLA Vijai Sardesai, who puts the people first.
