BJP: Will endorse invite to Pope

TEAM HERALD

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PANJIM: BJP would endorse the invitation to Pope Francis to visit Goa during the exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier next year if the Archdiocese extends invitation to the Pope, party spokesman Dr Wilfred Mesquita said on Friday.

“State government cannot extend the invitation (to the Pope) on its own as he is a religious head. The invitation has to go from the Archdiocese,” Dr Wilfred Mesquita said, stating that if the Pope agrees to come, the government along with the Centre will have to make preparations to host him during his visit here.

Alleging that UPA government is meting out injustice and step-motherly treatment to Goa, Mesquita accused Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh of being silent on the current mining issue in the State.

The party has decided to take up the matter to highlight the UPA government’s  failure during their day-long program scheduled on April 6 to mark the foundation day of the BJP.

Addressing a press conference, the BJP spokesman alleged that the Centre was not very inclined to start legal mining in the State. “The Prime Minister is totally silent on the issue. Union government which earned crores of rupees from this industry is also silent on giving a financial package to the people who are left helpless because of its (suspension),” he stated.