TEAM HERALD

bureau@herald-goa.com

PONDA: In a bid to clarify his position on the vexed MoI issue, St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh on Saturday assured that he would fight for the mother tongue but admitted being under "political compulsions" as member of the ruling BJP Government.

Wagh also conceded that though the government is supportive to the mother tongue, there was need for a "small change in the present MoI policy to safeguard the interests of primary students who had been taught in English last year."

Despite being roundly criticised at the youth convention, Wagh went to the meeting and pledged his unconditional support to MoI in the local language.

The St Andre MLA made it clear that that he had not come to explain the Government's stand in the matter. 

"My stand is that I favour Indian language education at the primary level. As an MLA of the ruling party, I have political compulsions but as writer and poet I am free to express my opinion", said Wagh.

"I have made my stand on MoI clear to the electorate of my constituency during election time. The solution for the MoI is not perfect and needs to be changed", he added.

Promising to raise the MoI issue at the monsoon assembly session, Wagh claimed that he would fight till the very last to protect the interests of the mother tongue.

Expressing his support, he asked the youth not to doubt him in his support to MoI in the mother tongue.