Genuine activists welcome,
but many are ‘experts
in all fields’: BJP
Team Herald
PANJIM: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Giriraj Pai Vernekar said on Thursday that the party is ready to listen to genuine activists, but many have become extortionists under the guise of activism.
"As far as the activists are concerned, we are always ready to listen to genuine activists with genuine issues. But these days, many have become extortionists. Many have even become experts in all subjects, whether it’s education, architecture, land or water. Ninety per cent of the activists are experts in all subjects. However, the genuine views of genuine activists will always be heard by the party or the government," Vernekar said while addressing a press conference at the party office in the city.
Speaking on the issue of communal harmony, he alleged that the Congress is targeting the BJP to protect its vote bank.
"Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao is talking about the BJP, but it must be remembered that the people of the State rejected four Alemaos, including his father, uncle and cousin sister, in the 2012 Assembly elections. Congress should introspect about its own DNA," Pai Vernekar said.
Hailing the government's decision to amend the Code of Comunidades, BJP spokesperson Yatish Naik said the amendment is aimed at safeguarding land under the Comunidades.
"The proposed amendment to the Code of Comunidades is in the interest of the people of Goa, Goenkars and the state. The amendment says that plots allotted for residential purposes should not be used for commercial purposes. This is in the interest of the State. This amendment is desirable and necessary to protect the land of the Comunidade," he said, criticising the opposition for attacking the government over the proposed amendment.
BJP spokesperson Vernekar
has lost the battle, using Hindu card: Congress
Team Herald
PANJIM: The Opposition Congress Party on Thursday alleged that BJP spokesperson Giriraj Pai Vernekar had ‘lost the battle’ and had no material to defend the party, resorting instead to using the ‘Hindu Organisation’ card.
“Our Congress leader Yuri Alemao has said nothing against Hindu organisations. BJP’s DNA is baffled after inviting the wrath of the public when it gives haven to anti-social elements, and then it uses the crutches of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh),” a statement from the Congress Party said.
“Giriraj Vernekar has lost the battle. He has no material to defend the BJP on land conversions, hill cutting and the sale of Goa by all the ministers. He has no answer to the communal vitriol let loose by BJP frontals. The Smart Panjim project has floored Giriraj. So, he takes pleasure in making false comments and cheap rhetoric about our Leader of the Opposition, Yuri Alemao,” the party continued.
“For many months, the BJP has been facing heat over several issues such as mass conversion of land, selling our assets to crony capitalists, corruption in the Kala Academy—where work was awarded on a nomination basis—‘jobs for sale’, the collapse of law and order, unemployment, mission total commission, road accidents, and potholes on roads. Hence, to divert attention from all these issues, a perplexed BJP is trying to use the crutches of the RSS,” the opposition party alleged.
The Congress further stated that, instead of levelling allegations against the Leader of the Opposition, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should honour his word and take action against those who speak against other religions.