PANJIM: Notwithstanding its High Command views on offshore casinos in the State, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) is firm that casinos should be moved out of the State and has demanded an opinion poll on whether Goa should continue to have casinos.
In a further reiteration, but his firmest till now, GPCC president Luizinho Faleiro said the casinos should be moved not just out of the Mandovi but the whole of Goa
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, GPCC President Luizinho Faleiro blamed successive State governments, including those of his own party and the present BJP-led regime, for directly or indirectly turning the State into the ‘sin capital of India’ by encouraging casino culture, drugs and prostitution.
“I have no idea what Digvijayji (AICC general secretary and Goa desk in charge) meant to say but the Pradesh Congress Committee has resolved to remove the casinos from the State. They should not be allowed in the State,” Faleiro said adding, ‘when the casinos were conceptualized they were meant to be anchored in the deep sea’.
Digvijay Singh, during his recent visit had said the party has not objected to casinos in Goa but they should be removed out of River Mandovi. His statement upset Faleiro and other Congress leaders, who have complained before National Vice-President Rahul Gandhi.
The former chief minister said that most political parties that governed the State, be it Congress, BJP, MGP or their allies, have directly or indirectly been involved in making Goa a sin city. “But that does not mean we should continue with it,” he said.
“Hence, Congress party demands an opinion poll on whether the State should continue to have casinos. Let the people of Goa decide,” Faleiro said, adding that for revenue amounting to just Rs 200 crore the State cannot ‘compromise’.
Going all out against casino culture, Congress demanded an immediate ban on advertisements promoting casinos claiming they will create a wrong impression on the young mind. “Just like there is a ban on advertising cigarettes and alcohol, there should be a ban on advertisements promoting casinos. The State government should impose the ban,” Faleiro said.
Responding to a question on casino owner Jaydev Modi-led group taking over ISL’s FC Goa Football team, Faleiro said, “When children will go on the field to watch a football match, they will see casino advertisements, this will influence their young minds.”
