OLD GOA
The Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) has called upon Goans to come forward to contest the upcoming panchayat polls so that they can provide clean grassroots governance to the people.
Giving the call at a news conference in Panaji on Monday, RGP supremo Manoj Parab informed that the party is willing to back clean and honest candidates in the VP polls and urged Goans to come forward and approach them if they are interested.
“We are going to support clean, honest candidates who are actively involved in their villages. They can approach us but they will be approved only after thorough scrutiny by our committee,” Parab stated.
“Though most of our candidates are shortlisted, we urge people to come forward from areas where RGP has no candidates,” he informed.
Parab also clarified that RGP will not contest in areas where the party does not have a base.
“Like Assembly polls, we are not going to go all out in panchayat polls as we are not going to field candidates in areas where the party does not have a base. We do not want to waste our energy but concentrate in only those areas where we have a base,” Parab pointed out.
“The panchayat system is getting corrupt and the repercussions are faced by the people who have to get even small things done by offering bribes. We intend to change the system by fielding clean candidates who will work for the welfare of the people,” he added and informed that the names of the candidates backed by RGP will be made public so that nobody takes advantage by wrongly claiming that they are backed by RGP.
“Our aim is to clean the grassroots level governance so that people get their work done through legal means. We also want to make villages and villagers self-sufficient while also keeping a check on the change in demography,” Parab opined.
“Further, the panchayats cannot be allowed to become puppets of the government which will be ensured by winning candidates backed by RGP,” he stated and added that governance will be brought to the doorsteps of the people.
He also informed that Vishvesh Naik has been appointed as the State level coordinator for the panchayat polls while Rohan Kalangutkar has been appointed as the North Goa coordinator and Rubert Pereira as the South Goa coordinator.
RGP’s St Cruz leader Ajay Kholkar was also present.
‘Cong defection fiasco will benefit RGP’
OLD GOA: Even as RGP seeks to expand its base through the panchayat polls, supremo Manoj Parab agreed that the party will benefit from the recent Congress defection fiasco.
When questioned on the issue, Parab said people are lamenting for having voted for the Congress after the defection fiasco rocked the second largest party.
“Though we are not supporting whatever happened, the RGP will definitely benefit from the same as the people are now lamenting for having voted for the Congress,” Parab added.
He also came down heavily on the Congress for being responsible for a weak opposition.
“If there is no strong opposition, the government will do whatever it wants. As the second largest party is not united, the floor management in the Assembly is lacking, which points to a sad state of affairs,” he opined.
Take every taxi owner into confidence: Parab
OLD GOA: Stating that Ola and Uber will not benefit Goan taxi owners, RGP supremo Manoj Parab demanded that the government should take each and every taxi owner into confidence before introducing app-based taxi services in the State.
“A committee should be formed so that every single taxi owner is taken into confidence before introducing app-based taxi services. Even if it takes 6 months to a year, it doesn’t matter. A 40-50-year industry cannot be just handed over to outsiders,” Parab stated and warns of opposition if the government does so.
Parab further alleged that a few leaders are taking advantage of the taxi owners.
“It is because of a few leaders that the issues faced by the common taxi owners are not getting resolved. RG does not support such leaders who are only bothered about their self-interest,” he informed, while outlining why there is a need to take all taxi owners into confidence.
He further criticised the government for wasting the taxpayers money on digital meters.
“The government invested Rs 20 crore in buying digital meters which now appears to have gone down the drain. The same fate awaits app-based taxi services and hence, it is important to take the opinion of all taxi owners,” he added.
