MARGAO: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant while expressing confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party will win the by-election and Lok Sabha election in the State however refused to comment on the cancellation of the Good Friday holiday in Daman and Diu, where a sizeable Catholic population resides and welcomed MGP decision not to contest the Lok Sabha election.
Briefing media persons he said going by the response of the people and enthusiasm displayed when the BJP candidates filed their nominations, he had no doubt that his party will win the three by-election along with both the Lok Sabha seats.
While admitting that due to late Manohar Parrikar’s illness the administration had slacked for a one year as the bureaucrats were not working at the pace required. “But having taken over the administration I have strengthened everything and people will see the change and a true people’s government as soon as the Code of Conduct is lifted,” he said.
He welcomed the MGP’s decision not to contest the Lok Sabha election and also pointed out that the party has not withdrawn support it had given to the BJP-led government which he said was a good development.
Replying to a question, he said, he had to drop Sudin Dhavlikar as a minister to accommodate Deepak Pauskar as the minister. “If the two on their own came to join the BJP why should we not welcome them,” he asked.
Dr Sawant appealed to all people, specially from South Goa, to vote for the BJP candidates who have been always in touch with the people.
“Sawaikar has used the MPLAD Scheme very well for education and infrastructure development,” he said.
He laughed at the Congress for fielding a candidate who is in his 70s and who has not been in touch with the electorate for a long time.
“Even earlier when he was the MP see the work done by him and the work done by Narendra and draw your own conclusions,” he said.
He totally demolished the Congress for fielding a candidate it had rejected during the last Lok Sabha elections in 2014.
“Congress has to answer what changed so dramatically that a person they felt unfit to be its candidate despite being the sitting MP in 2014 is suddenly the candidate this time around,” he said.
While admitting that Manohar Parrikar is being missed during the present campaign as he was the master campaigner all along. He however said the second line of leadership has emerged and will carry forward the task keeping in mind his ideals and vision.
He said they have no special plan or programme for Salcete and said “Mission Salcete” was Parrikar’s baby. However, when asked why the Good Friday holiday was cancelled in Daman and Diu, he said he would not want to answer that question.
It would be relevant to point out that Good Friday which was a regular holiday in Daman and Diu that has a sizeable Catholic population, has suddenly been made a restricted holiday this year.
