PANJIM: Five ruling panchas including the Sarpanch of Pilgao panchayat joined the Goa Forward Party (GFP) on Thursday, five days after the party claimed that it has established framework in eight assembly constituencies at present while their base would increase to double digit by next year.
Sarpanch Pradip Naik, Deputy Sarpanch Lalana Ginonkar and panchas Urmila Parab Gaonkar, Shankar Jalmi and Sandeep Salelkar were officially inducted into the party on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference after the function, party’s Vice President Durgadas Kamat said they expect more panchas from other panchayats to join the party in the coming days. “The new entries of panchas show the trust and faith in our leadership led by Minister Vijai Sardesai. We have no family raj and we work at the grassroots level. In the coming days, more panchas will join. GFP will also declare block committees,” he said.
The new entrants to the party said they are satisfied with the development work carried out in their village – that falls in the BJP constituency – and that they have more faith in GFP than any other party.
“I am impressed with GFP. We wanted more progress although there is development. We have more faith in GFP than any other party,” the sarpanch said while others nodded in agreement.
The party said that it would expand across the State during the launch of a toll-free 24×7 helpline number 18002000999 in eight constituencies- Fatorda, Saligao, Siolim, Mayem, Ponda, Taleigao, St Cruz and Cuncolim on Sunday.
“The helpline is aimed towards boosting the administration, which is slowed down due to insensitive bureaucracy,” the party claimed.
