MARGAO
Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai has publicly hit back at Revolutionary Goans Party leader Manoj Parab for claiming that non-BJP parties rely on “vote banks.” Sardesai said he has won three elections with the backing of Fatorda’s residents.
He did not oppose Parab’s advocacy of the Persons of Goan Origin (POGO) concept but said it could succeed only with united opposition support. “Parab should realise that POGO can be taken forward only if the non-BJP parties unite and come together to dislodge the BJP government,” Sardesai said.
Saying that the RGP Chief called him up on Wednesday, Sardesai said, “Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said there is a definition of Persons of Goan Origin. If there is a definition, I am of the opinion that it should be implemented.”
He added that POGO would not be implemented under the current government. “RGP’s POGO can be implemented in Goa only if the BJP government is dislodged. To dislodge the BJP government, we have to all come together and unitedly fight the elections.”
Countering Parab’s charge of vote-bank politics, Sardesai asserted: “We are not dependent on the non-Goan vote bank to come to power. My party is based on Goem and Goemkarponn. In Fatorda, we take everyone along, including those who have settled in Fatorda and who have assimilated our culture and ethos.”
