TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday took on Gujarat-based Jesuit priest Fr Cedric Prakash, questioning his sermon to Goans on Modi and the BJP when he himself is safe in Ahmedabad for the last 12 years.
He said it was the Congress which had brought the anti-conversion law in Madhya Pradesh during the tenure of S C Shukla, while demanding to know why accusing fingers are only pointed out at Modi and the BJP for enacting a similar law in Gujarat.
“Fr Cedric Prakash was in Goa recently. He has been operating from Gujarat for the last 12 years. He is safe there, but he is telling us so many things about Gujarat”, Parrikar said, while addressing an impressive meeting of party candidate Narendra Sawaikar at the Lohia Maidan here this evening.
Saying that the anti-conversion law was first passed in Madhya Pradesh by Congress Chief Minister S C Shukla, he said the same party is now pointing accusing fingers at the BJP. He, however, exuded confidence that the minorities will not fall prey to false propaganda saying he has received clear signals from minority Salcete that the people will this time vote for the BJP.
Parrikar accused former Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat and his government and for the loot and plunder of the state resulting in the closure of the mining industry.
Speaking at an impressive meeting of the BJP at the Lohia Maidan this evening, Parrikar said Digmabar, Joaquim, Churchill Alemao and others were responsible for the loot and plunder of the state during the five year Congress rule.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Parrikar said the Congress has outsourced its campaign to an Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai and has no workers even to work as polling agents on the polling day.
Saying that the Congress is raising the bogey of communalising to instill fear in the minds of the minorities, Parrikar said his government has resolved all contentious issues during the last two years.
On Narendra Modi, he said the Gujarat chief minister will become the country’s prime minister, saying the BJP will cross the magic figure with ease. “Victory of the two seats in Goa will be like icing on the cake for the BJP”, he said, while saying that Goa will benefit in terms of development if the people elect BJP candidates from both North and South Goa.
Party candidate Narendra Sawaikar, Minister Mahadev Naik, Damu Naik, Sheikh Jina and others also spoke.
