Team Herald
Margao: BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi accused Hasiba Amin, the Convener of Congress social media cell of links with Pakistanis. Lekhi claimed that Hasiba is a member of a Whatsapp group called India Political Network where there are 4 to 5 “Pakistani Handles”. She said that there are other Congress party office bearers in the group. “I feel what are parties doing in a group whose admin happens to be a Congress party leader and continues to have discussion about the PM not attending during Pulwama attack. I think Rahul Gandhi must attend to this”.
When Herald asked Lekhi whether the Pakistanis are terrorist and whether she has investigated the matter whether there a possible national threat or whether they have committed anything illegal, she replied stating “I don’t have as of now any such material to speak on that matter.”, She said that a political group which is meant for party function, what does that got to do with other people on board.”. When she was reminded that a BJP cell IT member was arrested for links to ISI, she denied the charges saying, “If someone makes a whatapp group and adds me to the group, I can’t be held responsible for what happens in the group”.
Interestingly, that is exactly what Hasiba Amin claimed has happened. In a statement released by Amin, she denied being an admin of the group. “I am a part of over 1000 groups since my number is in the public domain. It is impossible to keep track of all the groups. I am neither the creator nor the admin of this (India Political Network) group”, she said.
Hitting out at Lekhi, Amin said Lekhi has the habit of manipulating facts to suit her agenda. She said that BJP Government is responsible for the national security lapse and questioned why was ISI invited to visit the airbase in Pathankot after the attack. “Had the BJP done some real work, they would have some achievements to talk about but since they have done nothing, the BJP is trying to create fake news just to distract the people of India from their failures”, she said.
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CRZ 19 notification doesn’t impact geographic implication of Goa
In a shocking claim, the MP and spokesperson of BJP Meenakshi Lekhi said that the CRZ notification does not impact the geographic location of Goa. “There is no implication for Goans. Let me cast aside their fear because the geography of Goa does not get impeded by the notification”. She said somebody is definitely misleading them. She said there are one or two areas in the notification which will be addressed but could not state which these areas area. Lekhi was unaware the 2019 CRZ notification has removed the protection to Goa’s unique Khazan lands within the CRZ and the protection to coastal fishing villages. She said she is here to address these concerns and this will be taken up in the Manifesto.
Herald informed her the fishermen had already submitted their objections to the government yet the government went ahead and notified the policy. Herald asked her whether the assurance is a part of the election campaign, she replied stating that “Elections are about politics and about setting the policy right.”. Lekhi revealed she would be having a discussion with the fishermen community after the press conference but did not mention which fishermen group she will be discussing with.
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Reduction of GST to help Goa housing
“The reduction of GST on housing to 5% will help Goa and the Goan construction industry along with young India who wants to purchase houses”, said Meenakshi Lekhi in response to a question posed by Herald regarding the negative impact of GST on local businesses and industries.
She informed that benefits have been given to the middle class. “Because of these benefits’ income of Rs 10 to 12 lakhs can be freed and be given towards purchase of houses”, she said. The media persons informed her the GST on cement is 18% and that the benefits are received only by builders and not ordinary people who want to build their own house. She claimed that black money in real estate has been stopped and therefore the price of housing today is less than the price during UPA era.
In spite of the fact that there is no ban on mining and that the government is free to auction the mines, Meenkshi Lekhi claimed the mining issue is pending before the supreme court and that both State and Central government are working to resolve the issue.
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15lakh was not supposed to come into your account
“The Rs 15 lakh was not supposed to come into your account”, says Meenkashi Lekhi when media persons questioned her about Narendra Modi’s pre poll promise of bringing back black money and depositing 15 lakh into the account of every Indian citizen.
Her explanation then got even more strange. “if you look at the entire net worth which has happened, if you add up the money then it will more than 15 lakh. If you count what has been spent on road, various schemes, on Mudra loans, PM Awaas Yogna, Rs6000 into Kisans account etc if you count all that it will be more than 15 lakh.”
