VASCO: Slamming the BJP government for fooling the people of Goa by not fulfilling its promise of Special Status for Goa, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and National Executive Member Kumar Vishwas on Friday said that his party fully supports the demand and it would take up the issue with the Centre, if it is voted to power in Goa in the forthcoming assembly election.
“Goa’s beauty, culture and tradition make what Goa is. But it is said that Goa’s natural resource, land mass, forest, coconut and even the culture is being repeatedly attacked by the governments in Goa. All these years, the Political parties have only betrayed the trust of the people on the issue of Special Status. We feel that people’s demand is genuine and Goa should get special status. Once AAP comes to power in Goa, the chief minister will raise this issue with the Centre,” Vishwas told reporters upon his arrival at Goa airport on Friday.
Further, Vishwas said, “It is for the people of Goa to decide what is good for them. When people have already decided that they want special status, it was the duty of the government in power to take up the issue with Centre and fulfill the demand.”
Criticising Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for not fulfilling his promise on special status made to the people of Goa though 2012 election manifesto, he said, “It is a fact that Goa today has three representatives in the Parliament. But I am surprised at their lack of insistence for special status and their failure to take up the matter before Lok Sabha, or before the Prime Minister. Even the defence minister is from Goa, but why is he maintaining silence on the issue?”
