MLA Vijai Sardesai and former Congress MLA Babu Azgaonkar briefing the media on the Maad Yatra from Pernem. Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
With the deadline set for the government to withdraw the Amendment re-classifying coconut tree as grass expiring on Friday, Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai has said he and like minded Goans will go ahead with the proposed Maad Yatra from Pernem on February 21.
“We had expected the government to make a U-turn by bowing down to the wishes of the Goan people opposed to the re-classification of the coconut tree. In fact, the opposition was supporting the government to make the U-turn, but they did not pay heed to the popular demand. Hence, we have no option than to go ahead with the Maad Yatra from the Forest Minister’s Pernem constituency," Vijai told the media in the presence of former Dhargal MLA Babu Azgaonkar.
He said the yatra will kick off from Dhargal from the Bhagwat Temple at 10 am along with all self-respecting Goans and anti-BJP forces opposed to the re-classification of the coconut tree. Asked whether how many MLAs are expected to join the yatra at Pernem, Vijai said that people at large are expected to join the yatra, adding that the yatra will give a platform to all self-respecting Goans to come under one banner.
Saying that he has sought the support of former MLA and Minister, Babu Azgaonkar at the Pernem Yatra, Vijai underlined the need to send Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar home in the coming election.
In his address, Babu Azgaonkar said all Goans should join hands to put an end to the dictatorial BJP government, asserting that the people of Goa will never allow the present government to have its way in re-classifying the coconut tree.
