PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said his government will work towards establishing a direct flight between Goa and Ayodhya which he said will give 'spiritual tourism' a big boost both ways.
Sawant in an interview to a TV news channel in Delhi where he had gone to attend the BJP national council meeting said that several temples in Goa celebrated the consecration of 'Ram Lalla' idol at the Ayodhya temple last month, which has given rise to potential for spiritual tourism in Goa.
"If direct flights were launched between Goa and Ayodhya, spiritual tourism would benefit greatly," Sawant said.
Sawant who had headed a pilgrimage party from Goa visiting Ayodhya had proceeded to Delhi where the ruling BJP organised its national committee meetings ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha poll slated for later this year.
Sawant said, Goa's identity should not be limited to sun, sand and sea and recalled that there were many temples which were destroyed by the Portuguese during their colonial rule.
"The Portuguese destroyed nearly 900 temples. In the 16th century, Shivaji Maharaj rebuilt the Saptakoteshwar Temple. The temple has now been renovated. Tourists are starting to visit the Saptakoteshwar Temple in Narve," Sawant said.
The chief minister also highlighted the Mahalasa (Verna) temple where a museum and a cowshed are proposed to be set up which he said will give a boost to spiritual tourism.
"Goa too has a Sanatan culture. It needs to be preserved," he said.
BJP will win 370 seats
In the interview to the TV channel on the sidelines of the BJP national meet, Sawant expressed confidence that the BJP would win 370 seats.in the Lok Sabha elections.
'The BJP government at the Centre has repealed Article 370. The Ram Temple has been built and many welfare schemes have been launched. As a result, the BJP will easily cross the 370 mark in the Lok Sabha elections," Sawant said.
Minorities vote for BJP
Sawant said, the number of Christians voting for the BJP in Goa is on the rise in successive elections in the State.
"There are three Christian ministers in the Goan cabinet. The BJP has many Christian MLAs and in previous elections, Christians have voted for the BJP in large numbers," Sawant said.
He sought to play down the impact of the 'Maratha movement' in Maharashtra or the events in Manipur affecting the prospects of the BJP at the Lok Sabha elections saying it will not affect the electoral prospects of the ruling party.
Aligned to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for efforts to achieve the dream of a developed India in 2047, Sawant said, Goa has launched the 'Swayampurna Gpa' campaign to achieve self-sufficiency.
"The objectives of 'Developed Goa 2047' are being achieved through the 'Swayampurna Goa' campaign," he said, adding that the thrust is on construction of infrastructure and human resource development.
