PANJIM: The Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) has mocked at BJP for seeking sympathy votes in the name of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar, for the Panjim by-election on May 19. The regional outfit which has fielded Parrikar’s mentor Subhash Velingkar for the crucial by-election has accused the BJP of ruining the capital city.
Referring to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari public address on Thursday evening, Velingkar said the speech largely revolved around seeking sympathy votes.
“He (Gadkari) made every attempt to emotionally blackmail the people in order to garner votes for BJP. 75 per cent of his speech was about paying condolence to late Parrikar and his greatness. The party has not done anything good for Panjim and its people which is why it is now seeking sympathy votes,” he said while addressing a press conference little before public campaign came to an end on Friday.
The GSM candidate also came down heavily on the alleged corruption in the name of Smart City project involving Siddharth Kuncoliencar. Velingkar assured that he will bring transparency into the working of the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited once it comes to power in Panjim.
“The official guidelines while carrying out the ongoing project is not being followed. There is no compliance of any rule. I will form a high powered committee with prominent people on board to bring transparency and hold monthly review of the projects,” he said while terming the present state of Smart City as “wholesale corruption”.
He went on to state that the Panjim election will be a two corner fight between Congress’ Atanasio Monserrate and himself.
