Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) that has been at loggerheads with the BJP-led coalition over contentious issues like the Medium of Instruction (MOI) has this time hit out at the government over the grounded offshore casino vessel M V Lucky 7. The political outfit also foresees Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s possible debacle in the ensuing bypolls for Panjim constituency.
“Panjim people are very sensitive and the issue of casinos is not as simple as it is shown… Parrikar might face a setback in the bypolls. The BJP in any case had a taste of the 2017 election results, winning only 13 seats compared to 21 seats in 2012 elections,” GSM President Anand Shirodkar told reporters at a press briefing on Sunday.
The party slammed the government for making clandestine attempts to ensure the off-shore casino vessels are not shifted out of River Mandovi. Shirodkar pointed out the present chaos over the grounded casino vessel that ran aground at the Miramar beach during the towing operation, over a week ago. “Lucky 7 will prove unlucky for Parrikar,” he warned adding that government has been encouraging casinos in the State despite the casino gambling destroying many homes.
Shirodkar took a pot shot at Goa government’s claim that casino industry contributes to the State revenue. “The CM is highly educated and he claims to have good knowledge of financial aspects. When the casino industry generates just 2 percent revenue to the State exchequer, then why can’t he think of an alternative? Does he not have the ability to get that 2 percent revenue through other means rather than depending on casinos?” he questioned as he also slammed former Opposition leader and the present minister Vijai Sardesai for changing his stance on casinos.
“If you cannot convince, confuse the people. This is what the government is up to always,” he added.
GSM also demanded stepping down of Parrikar from the CM’s chair for failing to crackdown on culprits involved in over 250 desecrations of religious shrines. The Goa police recently arrested Francis Pereira for allegedly desecration 150-odd shrines since last 15 years.
