Former Minister and NCP State President Jose Philip D’Souza on Tuesday afternoon said the wave of protests erupting simultaneously across the State indicates that the government is “moving in the wrong direction”.
Addressing reporters, D’Souza said elected representatives and local bodies must be taken into confidence before major decisions are made.
“When protests break out in different parts of Goa at the same time, it sends a clear message that people are unhappy. Governments are elected by the people, and it is mandatory to consult stakeholders, including panch members and local representatives, before taking crucial decisions,” he said.
D’Souza also referred to his meeting with St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, who has gone on a hunger strike over the issue and was allegedly manhandled during a protest.
“An MLA cannot be treated in such a manner. There must be accountability and appropriate action on the police force in such cases,” he stated.
Recalling his own tenure in public life, D’Souza said he had been elected twice and had served as a cabinet minister but had never witnessed such widespread unrest across multiple issues at the same time.
“This level of public mobilisation is unprecedented in my experience. It reflects deep dissatisfaction among the people,” he said.
Appealing to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane, D’Souza urged them to resolve the issue at the earliest.
“The government must step in immediately, address public concerns, and take a decision that protects the interests of the people of Goa,” he added.
