PANJIM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Konkani, as he did in 2014 to establish a much-needed connect as Goa goes to the polls a week from now. He said, “tumkam sogleyank mayemogacho yevkar”.
In 2014, before the Lok Sabha elections, too he had started by saying, “tumkam sogleyank mayemogacho yevkar”.
But the pleasantries apart, the Prime Minister gave a clear indication that votes for the BJP in 2017, will lead to a flood of benefits.
He quickly cut to the chase. “The Centre is working ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with the Goa government for the State’s economic development and employment, with an emphasis on tourism. In the past 25 months, the Centre has given a financial aid to the State, which no central government provided in 50 years,” he said.
In his 30-minute speech, at Campal, the Prime Minister promised to make Goa India’s most “comfortable” State, if people give the party a “comfortable” majority in the February 4 Assembly polls.
The BJP in Goa has been facing criticism from all quarters and was looking towards the Prime Minister to give them a fillip. “From 1990 to 2000 Congress had over a dozen chief ministers and the disease of instability affected Goa’s progress,” he said adding, “Tell me, aren’t Indians smart? Why is the Congress being defeated across the country? Well, Goans are smarter than the rest of India. They have seen Congress’ misrule and corruption. So they will not vote for the Congress again.”
He stated the BJP has given Goa a stable government and the result is there for all to see. He also praised Goa for its development in the last five years. “I feel content when I see Goa’s development sitting in Delhi. Infrastructure, social schemes – the Goa government set an example for even the bigger states.”
On tourism, the PM Modi stated that despite demonetisation the tourist arrivals have increased in the State. “This is because the Centre is laying thrust on tourism sector and Goa is automatically benefited,” Modi said, adding that tourists can now get visa on arrival, and have access to facilities like e-visas. Goa has benefited the most from this, and has seen a huge rush of tourists.
He added that the tourism industry can give huge returns even with small investment. The poorest of the poor can earn from it.
Modi also hailed Goa for giving India a “strong” Defence Minister in Manohar Parrikar, and that “everyone around the world” is taking about last year’s surgical strikes.
Finally, he said, “I urge Goans to give BJP a ‘comfortable majority’ in the State elections. We will make it the most comfortable place in the country. I will develop Goa in a way which never happened in 50 years,” he said.
On the corruption front, he said, “There is a fashion of talking about corruption and poverty but nobody does anything.”
Indirectly targeting AAP for criticising the schedule for Punjab and Goa polls saying PMO was controlling Election Commission, Modi said that they had already conceded defeat, and were now searching for excuses. “If you do not trust the umpire why enter the playground?” he asked.
