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BIRTH OF A NEW
REGIONAL PARTY
* The much-awaited new regional political party named 'Goa Forward' was launched in Panaji on Monday with noted educationist and former State Election Commissioner Prabhakar Timble as its president.
* Goa Forward’s priorities include inclusive, sustainable development of the State and retention of ‘Goenkarponn’.
* Yet, its main aim appears to be the ouster of BJP and the new party on the block has declared its readiness to work with other political parties and elements to attain this end.
>> Details on page 3
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SALCETE BIGWIGS
SAY NOTHING TO
LOOK FORWARD
--
VIJAY BATS FOR NEW
PARTY; DIGAMBAR
BOWLS BOUNCER
ON COCONUT TREE
>> See pg 2
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BOX
We wish to take
a scientific
stand: Timble
Admitting that differences exist within the party between those supporting mother tongue and those in favour of freedom of choice, Timble said that the stand of Goa Forward on Medium of Instruction (MoI) will be disclosed on February 15.
“The issue is presently being mulled over by a 10 member committee and committee report will be out on February 15. We wish to take a scientific stand and not a political one,” he said.
He revealed that UNESCO’s new report on the issue of primary language is being considered by the committee.
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PANAJI: Newly-launched political party, Goa Forward, has assured a lot of freebies among other commitments categorised under general welfare, land resources, employment and governance. These freebies include scheme for free water up to 20,000 litres to households, free power for agriculture and free WiFi in Goa.
Aiming at making prices affordable, the party has assured to offer a supporting price for fish, coconuts and bread (pao). Affordable land and shelter for homeless and taluka-level day care centres for senior citizens and children with special needs also feature on the list.
Speaking about the need to restore the status of coconut tree, President of Goa Forward Prabhakar Timble said, “Coconut will be the State tree if we are elected to power.”
Declaring the party’s commitment to Goa’s inclusive development and protection of Goa’s identity, Goa Forward State secretary Mohandas Lolienkar stated, “Will not rely on Centre for social status. If elected to power, we will do all we can to ensure that Goa’s identity and land are protected.”
While some of the party’s agenda is non-negotiable, it was informed that a few issues are under deliberation within the party. “We are open for dialogue and consensus and will not be dissuaded from forming alliances due to disagreements. Divisive issues lead to votebank politics,” Timble announced.
Goa Forward assured that it will not offer knee-jerk reactions to issues as these widen rifts in the society.
Explaining the party’s stand on probing Rs 35,000 crore mining scam, Timble offered, “W will act as long as a judicial authority fixes an amount and names individuals. Shah Commission is not a judicial authority. But we will probe irregularities in all sectors, including mining.”
On the issue of casinos, party sided with those who want the vessels out of River Mandovi.
Timble also spoke about the stand of the party on regional plan and said, “Scrapping RP 21 is not an option. Regional Plan should be accepted and corrections should be made to it.”
Brushing aside the allegation of splitting secular minority votes, Timble labeled it as ‘a rubbish claim and a bluff’. “Anti-BJP sentiment will not necessarily translate into votes in favour of Congress. Allegations of splitting votes of the secular minority does not hold ground as we view all votes as secular votes, including those from the majority Hindu community,” he held, asserting that Goa Forward refuses to continue with the traditional politics of religion and caste.
Timble also quipped that members of Goa Forward have already begun to receive ‘threats’ of personal targeting and ridiculing. He said, “Threats have already begun and will continue to exist. It is a political sport but will not receive reaction from us. But we will enjoy it as it will help in spreading idea of the ‘third front’ and could popularize it enough to turn it into the ‘first front’.”
