PANAJI
The Indian National Congress is in doldrums currently and the karyakartas seem to be clueless in the absence of a strong central leadership. The party, dreaming of forming the government with its allies, could not perform well in the State Assembly elections and in the backdrop of this, Francisco Sardinha shared his views with the media on Saturday. When the South Goa MP was asked if he feels that the party is in ‘on and off mode’, Sardinha stated that the party is not in form in Goa that’s why it failed.
“Today, we must try to revive and come back. For the people of Goa, Congress is not new. The reason why we performed badly is due to some fault of ours which we have to rectify. Because of our own mistakes people have shunned us. Some may say that this time there were too many parties contesting the election. But it is not so. There have been a number of parties in every election, in the past and they will be in the future too. But if we are strong, we should not be bothered about other parties,” said Sardinha.
Adding further he said, “Congress has ruled the State for so many years. I was also a minister, Chief Minister and Speaker. The people of Goa know that the Congress has made development in the State. Today’s government only talks, but does not perform. Still they (BJP) won. Some of the parties were from Goa. Who had votes in hand? Only non-BJP. Therefore, it is by default that they won.”
Speaking on the delay in Panchayat elections by the Pramod Sawant government, Sardinha expressed, “The Panchayat (election) has nothing to do with the government. Let us wait and see. The three provisions should be followed.”
Pointing out to the Supreme Court order on double-line tracking, Sardinha stated, “The government should have a vision for the betterment of the State and know what the people want. We do not need the Supreme Court to run Goa or the country. The Supreme Court’s intervention is required when they (governments) don’t apply their mind. Some of those in the government have brains but not hearts and vice-versa. All should sit together and brainstorm what our Goa needs the most and act accordingly.``
He added that whosoever was stopping the double-line railway or sleeping on the track did not do it for their selfish motive. “They were fighting for Goa. I had recommended the government then, to immediately withdraw the cases against them. Henceforth, the government should give a listening ear to what people say and if their demands are appropriate, they should be fulfilled,” concluded Sardinha.
