PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday declined to accept the observations by Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, of “rampant corruption and weakened governance” in Goa.
The Archbishop, in his annual civic reception address on the occasion of Christmas, delivered a strong message of the need to protect our land from environmental damage leading to corruption and the weakening of governance. “What we see is an extensive environmental and social damage to Goa, which has generated rampant corruption and even weakened governance,” he had said.
He then added, “Please accept them (the sentiments in his speech) in the spirit with which they have been shared, the spirit of friendship, openness and frank collaboration that has brought us together this evening”.
Reacting to the overall speech, Chief Minister Parsekar said, “The BJP is going to the polls based on its performance. We are not here for appeasement of any section of society. We are focusing on the kind of performance we have delivered in the last five years.”
Responding to a question on whether the party is afraid of losing out on minority votes, he said, “We had six Catholic MLAs who contested on party tickets, of which few are in the cabinet. They are the best judges to decide our performance.”
Speaking to media persons, Parsekar confirmed that he has sought an appointment with the Archbishop ahead of the elections. “I don’t accept those accusations, not at all. I have asked for an appointment with the Archbishop,” he said responding to a question on whether the government agrees to the Bishop’s observations that extensive environmental and social damage to Goa has generated rampant corruption and weakened governance.
The Archbishop during his address at the annual Christmas reception had dwelt on government failures and announced the Church would issue guidelines to the faithful to help them vote for the right candidate in the 2017 elections. The reception was attended by the Chief Minister, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and other Ministers and MLAs.
The CM further said, “BJP is going to the polls based on its performance. We are not here for appeasement of any section of society. We are focusing on the kind of performance we have delivered in the last five years.”
Responding to a question on whether the party is afraid of losing out on minority votes, he said,
“We had six Catholic MLAs who contested on party tickets, of which few are in the cabinet. They are the best judges to decide our performance.”
