the goan I network
PANAJI
Upping their ante, members of the civil society, activists and people affiliated to different parties launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for refusing to hand over power to any senior cabinet minister despite his deteriorating health condition.
Speaker after speaker who addressed the gathering under the banner ‘Citizens for Restoration of Governance in Goa’, -- whose primary demand is that CM hand over charge to someone capable of handling his portfolios -- ridiculed Parrikar for latching on to power and holding the entire administration to ransom.
Renowned cardiologist from Margao, Dr Franciso Colaco appealed to Parrikar’s family to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and state BJP President Vinay Tendulkar not to interfere. “I know from reliable sources that Parrikar is also mentally incapacitated... you can take it from me,” Dr Colaco said.
The protesters, led by Adv Aires Rodrigues will continue their state-wide agitation until their demand is met. Rodrigues informed that from Monday, citizens would demonstrate and protest outside all public functions attended by the Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, due to her unwillingness to resolve the political impasse in the state. Further, there will be demonstrations in front of the offices of Deputy Collectors in all 12 talukas.
Rodrigues also said that citizens would demonstrate outside all functions in Goa where union Ministers would henceforth be present at. “Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will be inaugurating Khandepar bridge on December 10. We will meet him. We want the message to go to PM Modi that he has no right to interfere in State affairs,” said Rodrigues.
Meanwhile, Rodrigues said that citizens would hold flash demonstrations outside the private residence of Parrikar, and if he shifted to his official residence, they would hold protests there.
Rui da Gama, outraged with the political situation in the State, publicly tore his “Best social worker” certificate given to him by Asha Charitable Trust from the Social Welfare Department.
Judith Almeida told those gathered that while she did not support any political party as none had done any good for Goa, she was protesting as a public-spirited Goan who was upset to see the state of affairs at the grassroots. “I have visited government offices, and people are suffering,” she said. “As educated citizens we shouldn’t tolerate this. They are looting our state hook, line and sinker. There is infighting in the government. “Do not remain in denial,” she urged citizens.
Amongst those who spoke at the protest were Adv Avinash Bhonsle of NCP, Congress spokespersons Amarnath Panjikar and Adv Pratima Coutinho, writers Datta Naik and Dilip Borkar, activists, Tara Kerkar, Arturo D’Souza, and a host of others.
Day nine: Ghate in the ‘fast’ lane
PANAJI: RTI activist Rajan Ghate who was fasting for the ninth day on Saturday has vowed to continue his fast until the Chief Minister hands over his portfolios to someone capable. Even though citizens gathered for the protest meet at Azad Maidan requested Ghate to give up his fast, and that citizens would unite in public demonstrations, Ghate said he was committed to his cause and would not break his fast. “I have been told to give up my fast. But I am fasting for my 15 lakh strong family,” Ghate said. “Even if I go from this Earth, others will continue fighting for my cause,” he said. Ghate also said that he was fighting for Goa, a Goa that did not belong to Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP president Amit Shah, he said.
