SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Congress candidate former Union Minister Adv Ramakant Khalap launched his campaign for the May 7 Lok Sabha elections by paying homage to freedom fighters at the Martyrs Memorial at Patradevi, Pernem on Tuesday, on the occasion of Gudi Padwa.
Leaders of political parties owing their allegiance to I.N.D.I.A Bloc were also present.
Addressing the people, North Goa Parliamentary constituency candidate Khalap said, “MPs from Goa used to raise issues in the Lok Sabha but for the last 25 years it is not happening."
Khalap said, "There is need to again embolden the voice of Goa in the Parliament. For this reason I request people to send me and our South Goa constituency candidate Capt Viriato Fernandes to the Lok Sabha."
"We have to protect our forests and rivers. We have to create jobs for our unemployed youth. Jobs can be created with the help of Information Technology which was brought to Goa when Congress party was in power.”
South Goa candidate Capt Fernandes said, “Efforts are being made to silence voice of the people. If someone raises voice, he is sent behind bars. They are chased by agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax. The Gujarat lobby is determined to destroy Goa. The government has made its best effort to sell river Mhadei. When Karnataka prepared detailed project report (DPR) for diversion of Mhadei waters, BJP's North Goa candidate (Shripad Naik) announced that he will tender his resignation but he did not do so. On the contrary he is contesting again. They are framing rules which will help them sell lands of Goa. Time has come when we all the Goans will have to come out to protect our State and Constitution.”
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao said, “Time has come when people should think why government compromised on river Mhadei issue. Question is who will speak on the issue of job scams, corruption and unemployment.”
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Amit Patkar said, “I want to ask what has the North Goa candidate fielded by BJP, who is also Union Minister, done during the last 25 years. He failed to raise issues related to Goa in the Lok Sabha.”
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs Capt Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva, AAP State convenor Adv Amit Palekar, Deepak Kalangutkar of GFP and other party leaders were present. However, Congress aspirants Vijai Bhike and Sunil Kawthankar were conspicuous by their absence.
Later, the Congress leaders went to Margao where they laid a wreath at the memorial at the historic Lohia Maidan.
