MARGAO
With the Aam Aadmi Party and the Trinamool Congress emerging as challengers to the party in many seats, threatening to scuttle Congress prospects of returning to power in 2022, Congress national leader Priyanka Gandhi took the two parties head-on during her visit to the State saying the new players have come to Goa as part of their plan to expand their parties and gain national status.
As she hopped from Nuvem constituency to Navelim, party strongholds, Priyanka did not mince words when she said the new parties have come from outside to rule over Goa. She cautioned that the coming polls are an opportunity to build Goa and protect its identity and culture, warning that the State will be destroyed if the people make the mistake and allow a government that would work for their corporate friends.
Addressing meetings at Nuvem and Navelim in support of party candidates Aleixo Sequeira and Avertano Furtado, respectively, Priyanka said the outside parties are not here for the benefit of the people, but they have come to Goa as part of their expansion plan and get the party's national status.
“They are not concerned with your concerns. They want to come to Goa from the outside and rule over Goa. They have come to Goa for themselves. They want that their parties should grow. They do not want the people to move forward. That is not so with Congress. We fully understand that no one can come from outside and rule over the people of Goa. We understand that what is needed more today than ever is Goa handed back to the people of Goa so that you become strong and your voice is heard and what you want for your children and the good of your State is first and foremost”, she said.
Charging the Aam Aadmi Party for making tall promises, Priyanka said: “Look at Delhi, we cannot even breath. AAP is ruling the State. They cannot stop pollution and how can they protect your environment”.
Priyanka reminded how her grandmother Indira Gandhi had respected the sentiments of the people of Goa by giving them the choice to merge with Maharashtra or retain their identity and culture. “You decided in favour of separate culture, identity and an own State. Today, what Goa needs is that Goa is in the hands of the people”, she said.
Saying that the ensuing battle is not a battle for the Congress, but the people of Goa, Priyanka urged Goans to stand up and fight for their State, culture, identity and environment.
Priyanka promised that Congress would resolve the unemployment issue by making budgetary provisions of Rs 500 crore to create job opportunities. She announced to cap the price of petrol and diesel to Rs 80 a litre and provide support to the poor and downtrodden with Rs 6,000 per month.
She reiterated her party commitment to provide 30 per cent jobs for women and to set up women police stations.
Promising to scrap the project that would destroy Goa and its environment, Priyanka said Congress would work towards protecting the State’s environment and heritage.
