PANJIM: Continuing the party’s tirade against Antanasio (Babush) Monserrate’s background, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Friday termed the May 19 Panjim by-poll as contest of “clean character against a tainted character”.
Just before the campaigning came to a grinding halt at 5 pm on Friday, Sawant told a press conference that the Panjimites have to decide on what they want a honest man or a tainted personality as their leader.
He also charged that the youth of Panjim are jobless only because the former Taleigao MLA did not allow IT Habitat at Dona Paula.
“This is a contest between a clean and the tainted character. We are confident, we have been able to convince people about the issue,” he said.
Recollecting how the Panjimites brought former chief minister Manohar Parrikar to power, during which he also became the Defence Minister of India, Sawant said, “This is not vote for Siddharth but for “Bhaie” of Panjim, who they blessed with several positions.”
Pointing to statement made by “Babush” in his public meeting on Thursday, Sawant said, Monseratte should stop dreaming about forming Congress government in the State.
“All coalition partners including Goa Forward leader Vijai Sardesai, and other independents Rohan Khaunte, Govind Gaude and Prasad Gaonkar are all firmly in the saddle. Hence, there is no question of government falling,” he said adding “for the next five years there will be BJP govt in the State.”
He also ridiculed Monseratte’s assurance of providing one government job in a house saying this promise is just to misguide the people.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister and BJP candidate Siddharth Kuncoliencar both condemned the attack on the BJP candidate’s vehicle last night.
“This is just the trailor of days to come for Panjim people if such people are elected,” Siddharth said.
CM Sawant said that the police are inquiring into the matter and hopefully by Friday or Saturday the culprits would be arrested.
