Sopte failed to keep up to his promises made to Mandrem people: Sawal

PERNEM:  The Mandrem by-poll is forced on the people as they got Dayanand Sopte elected as an MLA and before completing his term he resigned and joined the BJP, said former MLA of Bicholim Naresh Sawal and accused Sopte of failing to keep up to his promises made to Mandrem people.

He was speaking at a public meeting at Mandrem on Saturday held in support of Jit Arolkar, the Independent candidate for Mandrem by-poll. 

Former MLA of Bicholim Naresh Sawal said people are concerned about the development of the constituency. To develop the constituency, there is no need for an MLA to change the party and join the ruling party. The role of MLAs from the Opposition is equally important as those from the ruling party. It is the duty of MLA to get the works done by sitting in the Opposition. 

Parshuram Kotkar, Apa Teli, former sarpanchas and panchas from the Constituency were also present.

Sawal said pointed out to several issues such as party hopping, rising prices of LPG and petrol, unemployment etc during the BJP rule.

Commenting on union minister Nitin Gadkari’s remark to teach a lesson to those who change the party, Sawal said, “People should follow Gadkari’s statement of teaching lesson to MLAs who change parties as Gadkari had given Rs 15,000 crore for development of Goa and defeat Sopte. The BJP as a party has put people in trouble especially the middle class”, he alleged.

Jit Arolkar assured to take up issues such as unemployment, water scarcity and power fluctuation on priority basis along with other development works.

Nation, State have no choice but to elect Congress: Sharma 

PERNEM:  Former union minister Anand Sharma said the country and the State have no choice but to elect the Congress by defeating the BJP –led Narendra Modi’s government as the promises made by the saffron during the 2014 elections have not been fulfilled. Instead the BJP should have distributed an apology manifesto while visiting the people. 

Sharma was speaking at public meeting organized at Morjim on Saturday, which was attended by former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, MLA Nilkanth Halarnkar, former Union Minister Ramakant Khalap, former minister Sangeeta Parab, entrepreneur Sachin Parab, Subhash Kerkar, MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Dr  Pramod Salgaonkar, Arambol sarpanch Daniel D'Souza, Narayan Redkar and North Goa Congress president Vaishali Shetgaonkar.

Sharma said that the BJP will vote against BJP in this by-poll as the Modi government is the issue of concern for everyone.

Kamat said, “BJP has taken two Congress MLAs however these two MLAs will not win this by poll election as people will vote for a loyal candidate”.

Khalap said, "If Babi Bagkar is elected as MLA then we take the responsibility to form government in the State.

BJP is a party of liars & betrayers: Sudin

PONDA: Accusing the BJP of being a party of liars and betrayers, MGP Leader Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavalikar appealed the voters not to fall prey to the saffron party’s false campaign.

He was speaking during the campaign meeting of MGP candidate Deepak Dhavalikar for the Shiroda by-poll.

With the response MGP is getting, Sudin said Deepak would win by huge margin. 

He said BJP will be defeated in the LS elections and in the by-polls.  BJP is losing its base in the State and soon Goans will witness it after result.  

He said Subash Shirodkar, who joined the BJP, failed to carry out development works and added that his constituents are facing water shortage despite Shirodkar being the MLA for the past three decades.

Sudin accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Lavoo Mamledar of maligning his image for political gains. He said the BJP forced the by-election on people of Goa and so people should make the right decision while voting.

Former BJP MLA Naresh Sawal accused the BJP of being a party of liars and added that Lavoo became MLA because of Sudin. 

He appealed the voters to ensure the defeat of the BJP candidate.