Team Herald
PANJIM: After BJP resolved against the installation of the statue of Dr Jack de Sequeira at the Assembly Complex, alliance partner Goa Forward Party (GFP), firm on this demand has decided to convince MLAs from all parties and seek their support for the resolution to be moved in the House during the forthcoming Assembly session.
GFP claimed that BJP MLA Michael Lobo, who is the Deputy Speaker, has assured them and the people that he would move a private member’s resolution during the Budget session seeking the installation of Sequeira’s statue in the Assembly Complex.
Addressing media persons on Wednesday, GFP chief spokesperson Trajano D’Mello said the party’s political affairs committee (PAC), which met on Tuesday under the leadership of TCP Minister Vijay Sardesai has decided to continue its fight for the statue.
“Lobo has announced publicly and also informed our leader that he will introduce a private member’s resolution during the Budget session. Our three ministers – Vijai Sardesai, Jayesh Salgaonkar and Vinod Palyekar – have decided to extend their support to the resolution. They will also convince other 36 MLAs for their support,” D’Mello said.
“The resolution will make everyone make their stand clear on the floor of the House. There will be complete clarity,” the GFP leader said, adding that after the Assembly session, the party will take call on its future course of action.
Questioned further, D’Mello said the demand is not political but is a public demand. “It was never part of government’s common minimum programme. But off late, we have been getting requests from the public to honour the Father of the Opinion Poll with his statue in the Assembly complex. We are respecting their sentiments,” he said.
GFP Ministers at a public meeting on January 16 had said they would step down from the government if their demand is not met. Coalition partners BJP and MGP have opposed the move stating the installation of this statue will be followed by demands for statues of others who have contributed and worked against merger and for the development of the State.
D’Mello also took dig at Congress leader Girish Chodankar saying that the Opposition needs to admit that they are useless and now need GFP support. “Who is Girish to tell us to withdraw support? This itself shows that Congress is indirectly trying to get our support after they failed to respect our pre-poll alliance,” he said.
D’Mello said GFP has managed to convince Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for inclusion of the Opinion Poll in school curriculum.
