PORVORIM: Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar clarified on Thursday that he had gone to visit Calangute constituency to take stock of the works undertaken by the Tourism department.
Parulekar admitted that he was invited by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in connection with the complaint by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, that he had visited Calangute constituency without Lobo’s knowledge.
“I told the chief minister that I had visited Calangute and Baga to take stock of the works undertaken by the Tourism department. When people saw me, they gathered and voiced their grievances, which is natural. Since I am the tourism minister, everybody has the right to approach me with his/her grievance relating to tourism matters and I am bound to listen to them,” said Parulekar.
“The purpose of my visit was not to meet Calangute Panch Joseph Sequeira,” he added.
“This was not my first visit to Calangute and Baga as I had visited these places three-four times in the past. As this was not my official visit, the question of informing Lobo did not arise.”
Parulekar clarified that he held no grudge against Lobo and had no intention of interfering in his territory.
“Since Lobo is part of the BJP party, he is like my brother and I will continue to render my full support to Lobo,” said Parulekar
