THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
With election fever heating up and politicians taking potshots at each other, State BJP President, Sadanand Tanavde on Friday said that everyone has a right to contest an election but politicians should avoid making personal allegations particularly when someone has no evidence to back his claims.
Tanavde also said that BJP was the only party that can provide a stable government and the well-informed Goan voter knew whom to vote for.
“We have a former minister who was given a ticket by Francis D’Souza (Babush) and today he is targeting his (D’Souza’s) son by making personal remarks. This is not done. Everyone can contest an election. No issue in that. But don’t make personal allegations unless you provide evidence,” Tanavde said, obviously referring to Michael Lobo without taking his name.
Tanavde was addressing a gathering at a function to inaugurate the election office of Aldona MLA, Glenn Ticlo in Aldona. Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Tourism, Shripad Naik, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte and others were also present.
The MLA’s 10 year report card on the development works carried out in the constituency and Aldona-specific manifesto was also released on the occasion.
Speaking further, Tanavde said some new parties have set “temporary shops” in the State and no sooner the elections end, these parties will disappear.
“We have given tickets to 12 minorities among the 40 candidates. Our party does not create differences between caste and religion. BJP will provide a stable and good government to people,” he said.
Saying Ticlo has been a loyal party-man who missed the ministry bus due to political compulsions, he assured that this time he would be suitably rewarded.
Khaunte said that he joined the BJP only after discussing the State issues with the local and central leadership of the BJP. Targeting Lobo, he said, the former minister enjoyed all the benefits of the government and has now parked himself in the Congress.
“Why together for Bardez. Isn’t it purely for selfish ends? We are working together for Bardez. We want our State to develop,” Khaunte said cautioning the people of Aldona to remain alert so that their village does not become another Calangute where most of the land has been converted for land sharks.
Not converted Aldona into concrete jungle: Ticlo
MAPUSA: Endorsing former minister Michael Lobo’s statement that nothing has been done in Aldona, local MLA Glenn Ticlo said he has not done what Lobo may have wanted to do in the pristine village.
“Yes, we have not converted Aldona into a concrete jungle. We have not shaved our hills and carried out landfilling of fields,” Ticlo said, mocking his former colleague.
He also said that there was rampant prostitution and drug trafficking going in Calangute but such things were alien to the people of Aldona.
The Aldona MLA further said that Lobo was speaking a lot these days and that people who sniff “something” can go on and on that way.
“In spite of the ongoing Covid crisis we have taken up a lot of work,” Ticlo said, adding that while he may not have completed 100% of the work, in the last one year he has carried out Rs 100 crore works in the constituency.
