PONDA: Goa mining dependents on Thursday formed Goa Rajya Nav Nirman Agadi (GRNNA), under leadership of Puti Gaonkar with aim to work and defeat the BJP candidates in forthcoming Assembly elections backed by opposition parties.
Gaonkar still a leader of Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF), said “We formed the special forum under banner GRNNA not only for election purpose but also to act as pressure group to restart immediate mining in Goa, to protect interest industrial workers and mainly to give justice and land occupancy right to several farmers who were deprived of their land during 1971 Survey.”
Gaonkar claimed if opposition parties support his candidature against Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant from Sakhlim Constituency than he is ready to contest as all-party candidate to defeat him.
He said mining dependent would support candidates having winning capacity fielded by any party in mining belt Constituencies at Mayem, Bicholim, Sakhlim, Parye, Valpoi, Savordem, Curchorem, Sangeum and Quepem.
Gaonkar claimed GRNNS is formed to rebuild Goa and want prosperous economy of Goa back on track as it was decade ago.
Good candidates of opposition parties would be supported. He said already they have supported MGP bandidate Balaji Gawas at Savordem Constituency as he is mining dependent and was fore front in agitation to restart mining in Goa. When asked whether they would join hands with Trinamool Congress Party (TMC), he said “Any likeminded party approaching us including TMC with commitment to restart mining would be welcomed to fight against BJP.”
