PANAJI
Former Union law Minister Ramakant Khalap, who will be the Congress' candidate on behalf of the INDIA bloc in the North Goa Lok Sabha seat, fired his first direct salvo at his BJP opponent Union minister Shripad Naik: "show me one project executed by BJP regimes which is of quality and as per standard specifications."
"Will my rival candidate Shripad Naik tell Goans whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) is wasting of taxpayers' money?," Khalap, who after much delay was named by the Congress as its candidate for North Goa last week, said.
Khalap said after the chaos unleashed in Panaji where serious questions are being raised over financial prudence and civil quality vis-a-vis the 'smart city' work, now shoddy work is being carried out at Sangolda where contractors and workers are constructing chambers for the sewerage project there.
"Is it right to waste public funds like this?," Khalap asked, adding that the BJP is known only for its fake propaganda.
"Don't forget the India Shining campaign of 2004," Khalap who launched his campaign earlier this week said as he sought to make light of the BJP's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' campaign.
He said, the BJP government's policy on public projects was 'mission total commission' and accused the saffron party of being negligent of the people's safety and health.
"Cracks develop in projects executed in the BJP regime in just six months. Roofs collapse, floor tiles get pulled out in just six months. There is no guarantee or warranty for these projects," Khalap said.
Atal Setu, Panaji Smart City work, Kala Academy renovation, South Goa District Hospital, New Zuari Bridge, Patradevi to Porvorim Highway which has claimed hundreds of lives, Lusofonia Games and the stadiums built for the recent National Games are all glaring examples of corruption, Khalap said.
