PANJIM: While the growing wave of discontent and criticism added to the environment building against the Defence Minister Goa felicitation for the army’s cross border hits on terror camps, the latest strike at Baramulla, put paid to any such plans.
Addressing media persons, BJP MP Narendra Sawaikar said the felicitation programme has been cancelled following the developments. “Parrikar had requested to cancel the function, and also the local unit decided not to go ahead with it due to the terrorist attack,” he said. Parrikar has also cancelled his Goa visit scheduled on October 4.
BJP had decided to host a public reception for Parrikar at Azad Maidan following the successful surgical strikes in PoK. The party had planned to bring Parrikar in a procession from Dabolim airport to Panjim with over 9000 workers joining the rally. “It was not a felicitation programme but we wanted to congratulate Indian Army and Defence Minister for the successful operation,” Sawaikar said.
BJP’s decision had evoked strong reactions from various quarters, including the party’s ally MGP, which said that such an event should not be held when the soldiers were braving militants on the border. MGP leader Ramakrishna Dhavalikar had said, “Parrikar should not accept such a felicitation even if the party wants it.”
Condemning the saffron party’s decision, Congress had urged the Defence Minister not to politicise the tactical strike carried out by the Indian Army. “What is needed is motivating our armed forces and if the BJP wants to felicitate anybody than it must be our brave soldiers. It’s time we stop politicising the tactical strike carried out by our Indian Army,” Congress Goa Spokesman Sunil Kawathankar said.
Congress had demanded that “if Parrikar accepts the felicitation than he should also take responsibility and step down when attacks like Baramulla occur on our soil”.
Goa Forward, which was the first to voice its opposition to the felicitation, had cautioned BJP against politicising the efforts of the soldiers. Addressing the media, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said it is pity that even as families of the soldiers are still to overcome the loss of their near and dear ones the BJP wants to celebrate a win.
“What are they celebrating? This is a war against terror which will go on for a long time. How can we celebrate when the enemy is coming back and hitting you again in Baramulla?” he asked.
Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said there is no reason for Parrikar to celebrate as it is the soldiers who have made the country proud. “He can only be felicitated if he has gone and stayed on the border for a day with soldiers while they fight enemy,” the Congress MLA said.
Meanwhile, social activist Adv Aires Rodrigues has approached Chief Secretary RK Srivastava seeking action against the planned two-wheeler rally as it could have led to major traffic problems.
