‘CM diverting attention
from core issues’
Realising imminent defeat Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant is now trying to divert attention from the core issues. It took nine long years for the BJP government to commission the South Goa District Hospital which was initiated and almost 60 per cent work completed by the Congress government. The projects of the BJP government such as ‘Atal Setu Bridge’ and ‘Canacona Bypass’ have become ‘Monuments of Corruption’. Let us keep the holy places away from the corrupt BJP.
There is a need to build confidence among the educated, qualified and eligible youth by giving them job opportunities on merit. The Chief Minister must build confidence among women on their safety and security and put a full stop on atrocities against women. The need of the hour is to build trust and faith among the people on their safety and security. It is important to build hospitals to provide proper healthcare to the people. The time has come to build proper network connectivity, roads without potholes.
— Digambar Kamat, leader of Opposition
‘CM stoking communal discord’
Decades ago, there came one instigator who took out a ‘rath yatra’ and people died in its path. These people stir communal disharmony which results in bloodshed and terror. What the Chief Minister has remarked today is nothing but an attack on this nation, its secular fabric and an attempt to axe its people. The CM is stoking hate between communities in Goa for which I see him as an offender. He should not dare.
— Seoula Vas, advocate
‘A shameful statement’
It is indeed very unfortunate that the Chief Minister of our State could come out with such a provocative statement that appears to be an attempt to create a vertical divide within communities, in this world acclaimed peaceful State of Goa. It would be much of a welcome if the Chief Minister, instead, could speed up the process for the demolition of the illegal construction in the heritage zone at Old Goa. Needless to say, this statement of the Chief Minister is a desperate attempt to polarise a certain community with an eye on the forthcoming Assembly elections. But it will never work. How can the Chief Minister forget that we are celebrating 60 years of Liberation, which struggle was fought together by all Goans, irrespective of religion, and continue to live in peace and harmony. A shameful statement indeed.
— Savio Coutinho, former chairperson of Margao Municipal Council
‘CM resorting to divisive agenda’
It looks like the recent imports into BJP are not proving enough to reverse the anti-incumbency tide the State government is facing. The Chief Minister is going back to divisive agenda, hate and hatred to reap electoral dividends. In a State like ours and a tourism destination, what the CM is proposing is dangerous, it shall liquidate the very idea of Goa.
— Advocate Cleofato Almeida Coutinho, constitutional expert
‘BJP playing dirty’
I seriously thought that anti-incumbency factor for Pramod Sawant government was not significant. But Goa BJP proved me wrong. The ‘development mantra’, ‘engineering defections’ and ‘Atmanirbhar’ are not working for BJP. Now BJP is going back to become a “Temple party” thinking it will polarise Goans. Fellow Goans understand the game. The Chief Minister is facing defeat. BJP has realised it’s not reaching double digits. They are out to play dirty.
— Prabhakhar Timble, Former State Election Commissioner
