MAPUSA
Lamenting the dithering of political parties to declare Opinion Poll day a State function, Deputy Speaker, Michael Lobo on Wednesday urged Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) to take the lead and give the historic day the recognition it deserves.
“The government of the day and previous governments have failed to give recognition to this historic event. It is very sorry state of affairs. I feel, today, the lead for this has to be taken by the MGP. I appeal to Sudin and Deepak Dhavalikar to take the lead and give recognition to the Opinion Poll day,” Lobo said.
The deputy speaker was addressing a gathering after garlanding that statue of Dr Jack Sequeira on the anniversary of the Opinion Poll day at the Calangute junction on Wednesday.
Lobo said by recognising Dr Jack Sequeira’s contribution, MGP could reap political dividend across the State.
“Today MGP is confined to only a couple of constituencies. If the party takes the lead and declares the Opinion
Poll day as a State function then it will get wider recognition,” he said.
He said there may have been several opinions to merge Goa with Maharashtra and many political parties may have backed the decision then.
“But one cannot forget the contribution of 42-odd people led by Dr Jack Sequeira, who decided to fight against the merger and retain separate identity of Goa,” he said.
The Calangute MLA regretted that none of the political parties wanted to recognize the contribution of Dr Jack Sequeira.
He said today if 40 MLAs in the Goa assembly can debate and pass resolutions, the credit has to go to Dr Jack Sequeira and his group who fought for the Opinion Poll and retained Goa for Goans.
“However, the same 40 MLAs will not decide whether Opinion Poll day should be celebrated by the government. To do this there is need of a revolution in Goa. And I am ready to be part of the revolution,” Lobo said.
He said he along with others will work to bring all political parties on one stand on the issue. “One day it will happen. The dream of Goans to see that Opinion Poll day figures on the calendar of the government,” he said and expected people’s support for the movement.
