Team Herald
PANJIM: The ensuing Budget session of the Goa Legislative Assembly will see former Deputy Chief Minister and Goa Forward Party (GFP) President Vijai Sardesai “reminding” the government ex-Chief Minister (late) Manohar Parrikar’s assurance for inclusion of Opinion Poll movement in the History text books for Class IX.
“The Opinion Poll chapter is a part of Konkani and Civics text books but till date it has not been included in the History textbooks. The then CM had said that Opinion Poll movement will be included in the school curriculum before the commencement of the academic year 2019. Since it has not been done so far, I will remind the government on the floor of the House,” he said at the inauguration of Dr Jack De Sequeira Square at Merces junction on Thursday, January 16 which is observed as the Opinion Poll day.
He said his party has been making every attempt to ensure Opinion Poll day gets its due recognition. “We made a serious attempt to see that Opinion Poll gets recognition it deserves. It is perhaps as important as the Liberation Day and the Statehood Day of Goa, and it (Opinion Poll) has been neglected by the State governments. We had demanded for a statue of Dr Sequeira in the Assembly complex which has not been accomplished so far but otherwise we are trying to give recognition to the Father of Opinion Poll by doing several things like Opinion Poll Square in Margao, etc,” he said lamenting that the government has failed in its duty to observe the day as other important days of Goa. Listing out those who had wished the people on the Opinion Day, CM Pramod Sawant and other cabinet colleagues has failed in his duties.
“It is a possibility that the present government is become so insensitive. This is a government run by pro-merger group and their attitude confirms my allegation. The State government is ignoring Opinion Poll,” Sardesai alleged.
He also appealed to Panjim MLA Atanasio Monserrate to maintain his stand, for a statue of Dr Sequeira in the assembly complex.
