Team Herald
PANJIM: Stating that the onus of resuming mining in Goa lies on the BJP, Goa Forward Party (GFP) president and Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vijai Sardesai on Friday said that the saffron party is aware that it cannot win the Lok Sabha elections if it is unable to solve the mining crisis that has hit three lakh people.
“Lok Sabha elections are coming, we are not going to contest the elections, we are very clear on that. The people who are going to contest (BJP) know very well that they have to face the people and mining is the livelihood of these people. Can they (BJP) win the elections without solving mining issue?” Sardesai told the mining dependents who met him seeking his support to mount pressure on the government. “You are also here and they (BJP) are also here. BJP has to come to you,” the Minister said.
The mining dependents under the banner Goa Mining People’s Front (GMFP) met Sardesai demanding that he withdraw support from the government if the Centre fails to resolve the mining crisis by December 15.
Sardesai, on the other hand, asked them whether the mining industry will resume if his party withdraws support. “Will mining resume, if we resign? If so then we are ready to withdraw support and let the government collapse. But let me tell you, that government will not collapse if we resign. And if we withdraw, who will be there within the government to fight for you?” he asked.
The Minister said the issue is about resumption of mining. “The onus of resuming the mining activity is on the BJP because they are ruling in the Centre and in the State,” the minister said.
“Fortunately for Goa we have a minister who is a member of the Union cabinet. According to me, this is the matter of inter departmental coordination within the union cabinet. Shripad Naik, being a Union minister, is the right person. He is aware what would be the impact on his election if these things are not settled,” he said.
Sardesai said the government is talking about amendment to the MMDR Act, but the question is whether they are serious about it or not. “We will have to wait till the Parliament session to see that,” he said, assuring the delegation that he and his two MLAs are ready to sit with them in protest at Jantar Mantar.
Sardesai also said he is of the opinion that the cases filed against mining dependents for violent protest on March 27, can be withdrawn. “Personally I am of the opinion that we have to look at whether the cases can be withdrawn. This is my personal opinion. This is not the opinion of government. I am not the minister for Home,” he added.
“The point is that they are also Goans. They were agitating against the injustice. So one can look into it,” he added.
Police have already filed a charge sheet in the case.
