FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Goencho Avaaz, a citizens group that was formed nearly three years ago in April 2018 as ‘voice of people’, on Sunday announced its entry into State politics.
Launching its regional political outfit, the party claimed to place the interests of Goa and its people at the forefront.
As it announced to contest all the 40 Assembly seats in the 2022 State elections, the party leaders ruled out possibility of pre-poll tie-up with parties, with self and corrupt interest; while maintaining to work-out a strategy with “like-minded” people to defeat the current BJP-led dispensation.
Addressing media persons, party president Swapnesh Sherlekar said it has already submitted required documents to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to register the group as political front and the official confirmation from the election authority is awaited.
“The party is committed to preserving the unique identity of the State, promoting unity in diversity, upholding democratic values and ultimately seeks to provide economic prosperity to its people, even while safeguarding its environment and traditional occupations through sustainable development,” Sherlekar said.
He appealed all like-minded people, irrespective of their current political affiliation, who share the party’s hope and vision for better tomorrow to join them.
“Now is the time that Goa needs us all and we urge passionate and right thinking Goans to join us in this journey to save our motherland. The power of the people, after all, should never be underestimated,” he said.
Admitting that there are several political parties already existing in the State, Sherlekar said Goa politics lacks honest and integrated leaders.
“Our party is open to welcome all such honest and integrated leaders,” he said.
Responding to a question, Sherlekar ruled out alliance with any political party for the 2022 elections, stating ‘we are the voice of people with difference’. He also said that if party fails to find honest and integrated candidates, it will not contest the Assembly elections in those constituencies.
“We aspire to form a government that firmly places the interest of Goa and its people at the forefront,” he said.
Earlier speaker, party convenor Capt Viriato Fernandes said, “The party will not contest the coming municipal elections but will support the good and deserving candidates.”
For the Assembly elections, he said, “The party will work out a strategy to defeat Dr Pramod Sawant-led BJP government and provide a strong alternative. But that does not mean we will join hands with parties having self or corrupt interest.”
Fernandes said, “Although none of us ever nurtured any political ambitions, we realised that we just could not stand by and watch our beloved motherland being systematically destroyed by a group of seasoned manipulators working the system to their advantage at the cost of Goa and Goans.”
“Also, the youth, wanted us to give them a political alternative. This compelled us to very reluctantly venture into the formation of a political party, where the voice of its people will be respected and reflected in all the government policies,” he said.
