Team Herald
PANJIM: Congress senior leader and MP Rajeev Gowda on Tuesday said that every government, regardless of the party, honours Goa by taking a member from the State into Central Cabinet.
Gowda, convener of AICC election manifesto committee, held consultative programme in Goa to take inputs from general public and civil society members for drafting the National Manifesto of the party in the run up to Lok Sabha polls.
Addressing media persons post-consultation, Gowda said in every Cabinet there is a representation given to every State, including Goa.
“Every government, regardless of the party, honours Goa,” he said responding to a question why Congress failed to give representation to the State in Central Cabinet.
“Every party honours Goa by taking a member from Goa into Central cabinet. This time also, nobody is going to leave you (Goa) out. You can take this as my statement,” Gowda stated.
When asked whether the party has identified candidates for the LS polls in Goa, the MP said the process to shortlist the candidate has just started and that the party is known for choosing good candidates.
Goa has two seats- North and South for LS elections. Both are currently represented by the BJP.
Earlier, Gowda said the issues of mining crisis, amendment to Coastal Regulation Zone at the risk of environment, tourism and unemployment were amongst the several suggestions received during the consultation programme.
“Our president Rahul Gandhi has formed the manifesto committee. We have conducted 100 such consultations. We have fanned out across the country to ensure that voices are taken into account everywhere. Today we had 26 speakers putting forth their points and 86 individual suggestions,” he said.
Gowda said that multiple people have raised the issue of mining ban. “They have raised it from the point of view of those who are dependent on this industry and what we could do to ensure that their livelihood is restored or provide some alternative measures,” he said referring to the quashing of 88 mining leases, which has resulted in shutting down of the entire industry.
“Lot of people expressed concern that BJP government did not handle the matter well and due to which the people were impacted substantially. We will soon work what solutions can be provided,” he said.
Gowda said holding the manifesto committee meetings across the country was ‘fantastic process.’
During the interaction GPCC General Secretary Adv Yatish Naik suggested the need for special status for Goa under Article 371 of the Constitution.
