PANJIM: RTI activist Rajan Ghate, who launched an indefinite hunger strike last Friday demanding resignation of ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, has received support from the political parties and NGOs.
“I am on hunger strike for the sake of people of Goa as they have been facing no-governance for last nine months due to health condition of Parrikar,” Ghate told reporters on the third day of his fast on Sunday.
He said that Parrikar should step down as the CM of the State owing to his health conditions and that he would continue his hunger strike till his demand is met.
Congress, Goa Suraksha Manch, Shiv Sena and NGOs like Savera met Ghate at Azad Maidan on Sunday to extend him their support. Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco also met Ghate on Sunday. Later, he said that BJP should stop glorifying that CM is signing the document.
“Congress party has always understood his medical condition: there are videos which are going viral in which he has said that a politician should call it a day when he cannot function mentally and physically.
“You keep up your word. A lot many people from Goa will be telling you but don’t listen to them. I feel that Ghate is doing something which we have failed to do as elected representatives,” Lourenco added giving out a message to Ghate.
“If Goans are not getting justice, it is because of the absence of CM and governance has come to a standstill. Even ministers within your own government have started criticizing you. None of us will talk about you, I think you should exit honourably,” he added. Subhash Velingkar, the recently appointed GSM chief who also met Ghate, said ‘his friend’ is sitting on a hunger strike for genuine cause. “Actually, the entire Goa should have had uprising over the issue. But Goans are tolerant. They (BJP-led government) have done such injustice to everyone. Even God will not pardon them. Ghate is representing the aspiration of all the parties,” he said.
Velingkar suggested that all the parties and all the NGOs should come together demanding Parrikar’s resignation.
Sena Spokesman Milind Gawas also echoed the same view stating, “We had said that the administration has come to standstill. What we said four months ago is becoming true now. Shiv Sena was the first one to raise the issue. We had asked for the dissolution of the government. The Parrikar-led government is not bothered about the people. We even had signature campaign. We even went to the governor. But the governor is not interested in listening.”
