the goan I network
MARGAO/PANAJI
Goa Forward Party Chief Vijai Sardesai has said it is unfortunate that some politicians, claiming to be self-styled leaders of the seafarers, are attempting to take credit over the MHA decision on the disembarkation of the stranded seafarers at Mumbai.
Sardesai the decision was purely due to the sheer grit and determination of the seafarers community and not any politician or the political class. “The first battle was won solely due to the pressure from seafarers, their families, Goan Seamen Association of India, NGOs and citizens supporting them,” Sardesai said.
He said the Goa Forward wishes to caution that the MHA order on seafarers is just a small, though important, victory. He added: I say this because with this small victory not even five per cent of the seafarers will benefit. More than 95 per cent are still at risk around the world.”
Ridicules Churchill
He also expressed his surprise that Churchill Alemao, who is supposed-to-be the non-ruling NCP MLA, was targeting him for criticizing the ruling BJP government and the Chief Minister.
“On what ground is Churchill criticising me. I am on Fatorda ground. Is he on some football ground where the generosity of the ruling party and CM fetches his family club more than Rs six crore rupees?” Sardesai questioned.
Interestingly, Sardesai said Churchill thanked every BJP politician, but didn’t say a single word of thanks to his own party National General Secretary Praful Patel and state NCP President Jose Philip D’Souza for the decision on seafarers.
Referring to Churchill’s tirade against him for not severing ties with the NDA, Sardesai said, “The GFP is a recognised state political party and not a family-run football club. I am a self- respecting politician now and also when I was Congress General Secretary I had opposed family raj in the party,” he recalled.
