THE GOAN/NETWORK
PANAJI: The Indian armed forces have been dragged into a political debate stirred by recent comments made by Transport Minister and sitting BJP MLA from Dabolim Mauvin Godinho, who on February 3, had publicly questioned the military credentials of his electoral foe Captain Viriato Fernandes.
The Congress party has now demanded an apology from Godinho and asked the BJP to prove its nationalist credentials by reprimanding its Dabolim candidate.
"Making such remarks is completely unacceptable," AICC official in-charge of Goa Dinesh Gundu Rao said at a press conference in Panaji.
On February 3, Godinho had launched a broadside against Fernandes, claiming he was no military hero and was instead posted at a defence canteen selling alcohol and other goods to card-carrying servicemen and women.
"It was a completely unwarranted, unprovoked attack and reflects his mindset and the pretence the BJP has about being a nationalistic party. We condemn this remark and urge BJP to take serious action against its candidate and reprimand him. We demand an apology to Captain Viriato and to all who wear the uniform with pride," he also said.
