Team Herald
PANJIM: Even as the BJP-led State government has backed the Centre’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai criticised the State government for “busy defending a legislation which is very much discriminating” and has disturbed” the peace of India”.
The Goa Forward Party (GFP) Chief said that rather than having rallies in support of CAA, BJP should hold public awareness across State on the status and importance of Mhadei river water.
“BJP should focus on conducting rallies on Mhadei river issue rather than having rallies to support the legislation, which has no compassion and which shows discrimination,” he said, while adding, “on Christmas, entire India is burning and here our government is spending time to defend this legislation”.
Meanwhile, the CM has been reiterating that the CAA will not have any impact on Goan citizens. He had urged political opponents and like-minded people not to create “confusion” and “fear” in the minds of the public with regards to the new law.
BJP has decided to hold a massive public awareness rally on CAA on January 3 at Azad Maidan, which will be addressed by party’s national working president J P Nadda.
Speaking on Mhadei issue, Sardesai said that lack of leadership has resulted in the State being taken for granted and cheated by the Centre on the water diversion issue.
“Goa does not have the weightage to negotiate at the Centre’s table. Hence Goa is been targeted. There is no leadership and the State is being taken for granted and not being considered. Our CM and even MPs have no standing at the Centre,” he said.
The Fatorda MLA demanded that the State should confront the Centre on the Mhadei controversy. “The Government needs to come out clear on what their stand is. We are with the government to confront the Centre on Mhadei,” he said.
Reacting to Governor Satya Pal Malik’s statement that Goa is being cheated on Mhadei, the former Dy CM sought clarification from the Chief Minister on the same.
