the goan I network
MARGAO
With reports indicating that Salcete may go with the Congress in the April 23 election for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat, a host of BJP leaders descended on the taluka to express their gratitude to the minorities for rallying behind the party in the 2012 Assembly polls and to advise them not to fall prey to opponents out to poison their minds in the coming election.
While Panchayat Minister and campaign manager for the sitting MP Narendra Sawaikar did most of the talking, the media briefing was attended by candidate Sawaikar, Party President Vinay Tendulkar, Minister Milind Naik, former Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, besides Subhash Faldesai, Sadanand Tanavade and others.
While seeking votes for Sawaikar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the ensuing election, Mauvin sought to reassure that the BJP is not against the minorities.
“The BJP is not against the minorities. I and Nilesh Cabral are part of the government. We do not feel any discrimination,” Mauvin said, while making a plea to the minorities not to get misguided by vested interests out to poison their minds on the eve of the Lok Sabha election.
Aware that opponents might create insecurity amongst the minorities by raking up incidents that have taken place outside the state, Mauvin said the BJP is a big tree and believes in inclusive growth. “There may be incidents elsewhere which the party cannot be held responsible. The 1984 Sikh riots is the case in point. Thousands of Sikhs were killed in Delhi. By the same yardstick why is the Congress not taking the responsibility for the 1984 riots?” Mauvin asked.
Saying that the BJP does not discriminate against people based on caste and creed, Mauvin expressed his gratitude to the minorities for rallying behind the
party in the 2012 Assembly election before they moved away in the 2017 election after being misguided by the vested interests.
Mauvin’s stress on the minority support for the party candidate assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of reports that the Congress has consolidated its position in the minority
taluka ahead of the April 23 election.
Asserting that the BJP would retain both the North and South Goa seats, Mauvin said though the party is certain to win both the seats, the party is aiming for a victory with huge margin of votes. And, he added that only the BJP will be in a better position to resolve the mining crisis facing the state and resume the activity in the state after the election.
“Goa has received around Rs 30,000 crore funds during the last five years, out of which Rs 15,000 crore has come from Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to improve the communication infrastructure,” he said, adding that Goans should also unite and vote to give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a
second term.
Sitting MP Narendra Sawaikar also tried to reach out to the minorities, by highlighting his achievements as an MP, including the setting up of the passport office in South Goa, resolving issues relating to seafarers, getting amendment to CRZ to protect the interests of shack owners.
“The BJP had never resorted to communal and caste politics, but our politics has been development centric,” he said, while exuding confidence that the party will retain the South Goa seat.
