TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: Observing that Goa was receiving an overdose of Hindutva this monsoon, Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai Saturday expressed shock and surprise that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was becoming an architect to anoint Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is known for polarising Indians on communal lines, as the prime ministerial candidate.
“In a secular tolerant state like Goa, the Gujarat Chief Minister is sought to be anointed by a chief minister, who is “seen” as secular. Parrikar has exposed his true colours,” Sardesai said, while reminding Parrikar that he has returned back to power with the blessings of minorities.
“It is surprising that the BJP reception committee constituted to welcome the delegation at the Dabolim airport does not understand this. But, they have to check the pulse of the people. People of Goa have understood the true colours of the BJP. It’s not even one year since the BJP came to power and people have come to know their true colours,” he added.
Saying that Goans have been asking for raindrop tourism in the state, Sardesai lamented that what the people of Goa have received in return is an overdose of Hindutva. “On one side the BJP says that Ram Mandir will take a back seat, while people like Pramod Muthalik and other Hindutva forces are holding a conclave in Ponda to build the Ram Temple. This is total duplicity,” he added.
Referring to an advertisement released by the government welcoming the BJP leaders for the National Executive describing Goa as a land where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, Sardesai said “only Parrikar is holding his head high and on one else. He is transferring relatives of activists to far away places to instill fear for raising voices against the government.” “Muthalik says Goa is still on his radar. When we were demanding action against him the Chief Minister made light of the issue. Today, Muthalik is in Goa. The government is colluding with these forces,” he added.
