PANJIM: The BJP swung into damage control mode, on Wednesday, after controversial statements of its key ally, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party’s Ramkrishna Sudhin Dhavalikar wherein he questioned the need to increase foreign tourists, called for a ban on bikinis in Goa and putting a stop to ‘pub culture,’ in the state.
According to sources Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, though he defended him in public even as he subtly distanced himself from the statements, was quite taken aback by the tenor of the remarks in the comments made by his senior ministerial colleague on television and to print media. However, his other BJP colleagues were quite unequivocal and disagreed with Dhavlikar’s views and said that his proposition would hit tourism, which is presently the backbone of the state’s economy, with the ban on mining operations.
Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said Goa is a tourist state and not a holy place while the Congress party criticized the chief minister for defending him.
