PANJIM: Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), opposing the expansion of casino culture in Goa, has asked the Goa government to relocate the new casino vessel M V Royal Flotel Deltin Caravela from near the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary following public protests.
Ponda MLA and MGP general secretary Lavoo Mamledar said the central committee of the party had decided to convey the message to the government in which it is an alliance partner.
He said the government should not promote casino culture in Goa as Goans always protested casinos in Goa and therefore the government should stop its expansion in the State.
Parking such a huge vessel next to the bird sanctuary which is an eco-sensitive zone will affect the sentiments of the environmentalist and general public, Mamledar said.
He asked the government not to provoke the public by delaying to remove the vessel from Ribandar to avoid any protest which may lead to a law and order situation.
MGP has three MLAs of which two are ministers in the Laxmikant Parsekar government. The party has been protesting some of the major policy decisions of the BJP-led government including the MoI issue. The MGP central committee has in the past asked its leaders not to form a pre-poll alliance with the saffron party.
