PANJIM: INDIA Bloc’s North Goa Parliamentary constituency candidate Adv Ramakant Khalap said that the Indian Constitution gives justice to everyone.
“The Constitution tell us that India is a sovereign country. It tells us that whichever religion we belong to, everyone will get justice. We follow the socialist pattern. Vote for your brother. If you vote for me, you will be voting for yourself,” he said.
“When I was elected as MP in 1996, I informed then Prime Minister Deve Gowda that we need to do something special for women. There was a debate that women’s representation is the State assemblies and panchayats is very low. Our Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi had introduced the 73rd amendment in the Constitution, allowing for one-third political reservation for women for the Lok Sabha and assembly, as well as municipalities and panchayats. And on September 8, 1996, I introduced this bill, for which now Modi has claimed credit,” Khalap added.
Coordinator for the North Goa Lok Sabha seat and Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira, said the Congress Party has promised to financially support women of weaker sections, waive off loans of farmers, and increase the minimum support price for produce.
“The Congress party also promises Rs 25 lakh Mediclaim coverage. The MNREGA scheme was introduced by the Congress, and BJP was opposing it. Now they themselves are implementing it. Now, the Congress promises to increase the minimum wage to Rs 400 per day. For those undergoing apprenticeship, they will get Rs one lakh annually, while 30,000 vacancies in the Central government will be filled up,” he said.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Amit Patkar said “I challenge the BJP to debate with us on Modi’s promise to get back black money, hike in the price of gas cylinders, and the high unemployment rate in Goa. These are the core issues of the country and the State. However, BJP is only trying to misguide people.”
