24 Mar 2018 | 05:58am IST
Will oppose projects affecting fishermen: Palyekar
Says Goa Forward Party will not support anyone other than Parrikar as chief minister
VASCO: Fisheries Minister Vinoda Palyekar on Friday said that he would be the first one to oppose any project that would affect the livelihood or operations of traditional fishermen community in Goa or is planned against their welfare.
Talking on the political situation in the State, he said that his party, Goa Forward, would not support anyone other than Manohar Parrikar as chief minister.
Palyekar was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a foundation stone laying ceremony for construction of major nullah initiated by WRD department to prevent flooding of low lying areas of Baina in Vasco.
“We have always worked for the welfare of traditional fishermen. If there is anything which goes against the welfare of traditional fishermen, then, I will be the first one to oppose it and will not allow any projects in Goa that is against the welfare of traditional fishermen community,” he said.
Palyekar was responding to the recent statement made by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who during a function at Vasco had suggested that hotels should be connected with inland waterways and the government should support hoteliers in constructing jetties all over Goa. However, the traditional fishermen community had raised strong objections to Gadkari’s statement.
When asked whether he would support anybody as Goa chief minister in absence of the incumbent Manohar Parrikar, he said, “We have supported Parrikar as the chief minister and not the BJP. All other decisions will be taken by our party chief. However, it is very clear that our party will not support any other face as chief minister except Parrikar. Also Parrikar is our CM and will be our CM,” he asserted.
-
No question of leadership change: Vijai
Reacting to Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyekar’s statement that the Goa Forward Party would not support anybody other than Parrikar as chief minister, TCP Minister and GFP president Vijai Sardesai said, “Palyekar spoke what is written in the letter of support which we submitted to the Governor. There’s no question of contemplating change in leadership especially when the Chief Minister is in the hospital. Everything is speculation and I will be the last person to do something like this and withdraw support and create instability when he is fighting such a huge battle in a hospital.”
