09 Sep 2018 | 06:48am IST
All smoke without a fire
The recent absence of governance in the state due to the ill health of the CM has led to demands by the Congress for the imposition of Presidents rule but they have not gone as far as to move a no confidence motion against the government. Pradeep Padgaonkar General Secretary (AAP) and Yatish Naik, Spokesperson Goa Pradesh Congress Committee presented their positions
HERALD: Do you think Congress is deliberately not moving a No Confidence Motion against the current lame Government? Why?
PADGAONKAR: A political party is supposed to perform politically; it cannot be a social club. This party is one of the oldest political parties in India which was formed more than 132 years ago. Congress has ruled Goa for a maximum period since liberation. Most of the present elected MLAs of congress are very much experienced as legislators. Amongst the legislative group they have many ex-chief ministers viz: Pratap Singh Rane, Louzinho Faleiro, Ravi Naik and Digambar Kamat. They are fully aware of their strengths (if any?) and weaknesses. This is a party which appears very strong from its appearance but has actually become hollow.
HERALD: Congress' has been doing Public Protests and Press Conferences to raise awareness but it is seeming to be more of a Public Relations Exercise. Do you think people of Goa believe them?
PADGAONKAR: How can people of Goa believe them? They have 16 MLAs who have sold their soul to the BJP. Their voices are muted. Do you hear any MLA talk or join any public protest? The public protests are done by the second rung with the hope of a party ticket and not in people’s interest. They should have by now strangulated the Government on formalin issue, PDAs , RP etc. But it is a known fact they will not.
HERALD: AAP seems to be competing with Congress on every issue or is it vice versa? Do you think that AAP having no MLA in the Assembly is not taken seriously?
PADGAONKAR:Why should we? We are not in the assembly to compete with them. We do from outside what Congress should be doing from inside. Congress is not only guilty of acts of omission but to top it all are heaping insults on our Goan brethren. A party that has ruled for donkeys years has no right to point fingers at any one else. If sale of Goa started, it is with them in power. Parrikar only continued the ‘good’ job of selling Goa to the highest bidder.
HERALD: Do you think Congress is deliberately not moving a No Confidence Motion against the current lame Government? Why?
NAIK: This government has already lost the confidence of the people. This government has ensured complete collapse of the administration. We are still the single largest party in the house. The governor must act in terms of the Constitution.
HERALD: Congress' has been doing Public Protests and Press Conferences to raise awareness but it is seeming to be more of a Public Relations Exercise. Do you think people of Goa believe them?
NAIK: Congress is taking up the issues concerning the people. This government both at the centre and the State have no sensitivity to people's issues. The people of the State are with the congress. Together with the people we will emerge stronger and victorious
HERALD: AAP seems to be competing with Congress on every issue or is it vice versa? Do you think that AAP having no MLA in the Assembly is not taken seriously?
NAIK: Congress has roots in Goa. The ideology of the Indian National Congress is accepted by the people of Goa. The ideology of AAP is unknown. People of Goa are not with them.
