The BJP-led government has made one more of a series of U-turns for which it has become notorious, by permitting casinos in the River Mandovi to remain for another seven months, till March, 2016. What hypocrisy! During the run-up to the assembly elections in 2012, BJP leaders, Manohar Parrikar and others had ranted against the Congress for allowing casinos in the first place.
They had assured that the casinos would be sent packing if the BJP was voted to power. But like most of their other promises, the BJP has gone one better than the Congress by extending their stay in the Mandovi for another seven months, till the end of March, 2016. Most people were hoping that the government would at least not permit the casinos in the Mandovi and send them packing to the high seas after August 31, 2015. Alas! Their hopes have been dashed.
With no likelihood of alternative locations emerging, it appears the off-shore casinos will be comfortably ensconced in the Mandovi for the foreseeable future. In fact, the CM, Laxmikant Parsekar gave the game away by stating that the state earns, ‘ a lot of revenue, besides taxis and hotels benefitting’. Parsekar is also batting for those employed on board the casinos.
Just as in case of illegal mining, the BJP milked the issue of casinos in the Mandovi at the hustings to reap a rich electoral dividend. But after winning the elections and coming to power, it is resorting to U-turns which smacks of rank opportunism. What happened to its rants about casinos corrupting the youth of Goa and a cause of other social evils?
The people of Goa need to take a long and hard look at the way our ruling politicians have been taking the people for a ride. The next state elections are just a year and half away. The people of Goa will have the opportunity to give their verdict. Hopefully, the BJP will be delivered a knockout punch and sent packing.
