TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday said that Congress leaders have no moral right to demand resumption of mining as the party and its leaders were responsible for the current mining ban.
Mining activity has been halted in the state after the Supreme Court imposed an interim ban after the Justice M B Shah Commission report exposed illegalities pertaining to mining in the state.
Speaking to media persons, BJP general secretary Narendra Sawaikar accused erstwhile Congress government and its leaders for the current mining mess. “The Congress leaders are the main responsible for the mining crisis. It’s only because of them that people are starving for livelihood…marching on road,” he said.
“Congress party has no moral right to demand for immediate commencement of mining,” he said. Congress leaders including Pratapsing Rane, Subhash Shirodkar, and Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco shared the dais with pro-mining protestors in favour of restarting legal mines where Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, leaders from BJP, MGP and NCP were present.
Sawaikar also accused Congress-led UPA government at the Center for failing to extend its support to State government over pursuing the mining case before the Apex Court. “State government alone made all efforts for resumption of mining before the Court. The Union Finance Minister realised the effect of mining closure only after the economic slowdown,” he said.
The BJP has hoped that the SC will lift the ban by next month and mining would resume immediately.
Meanwhile, BJP has welcomed the government move to give 27 per cent reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The party has decided to hold a special drive at the panchayat level to register the names of the people falling under OBC category from Sept 1-20.
Congress leaders including Pratapsing Rane, Subhash Shirodkar, and Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco shared the dais with pro-mining protestors in favour of restarting legal mining.
