Team Herald

PANJIM: Repeating its promise to resume mining operations in the State, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday released its manifesto or ‘Sankalp Patra’ (manifesto) for the February 14 State Assembly elections.

The manifesto, released by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and other party leaders, promises to restart mining, within six months of returning to power, through the Goa Mineral Development Corporation and auction of iron ore blocks through transparent leasing and by following due process of the law.

While the manifesto contains 200 or so sankalps (goals) across 10 cohorts, the BJP has chosen to highlight 22 key ones that it believes encompasses the party’s vision of a golden and swayampurna Goa. “The 22 sankalps are not mere promises but a set of ideals backed with a comprehensive plan to achieve them. The BJP has also taken care to include sankalps aimed at resolving pressing issues in the State. It encompasses all spheres, such as economic, social and cultural aims. This includes goals such as making Goa a Rs 50 billion economy in 10 years and launching Mission Gold Coast to create an Olympic gold medalist for India from Goa,” Gadkari said on releasing the manifesto in Panjim.

“The party believes that its 22 sankalps will not only lead to a more prosperous tomorrow but also lay the groundwork for a brighter future. Through the Sankalp Patra, the party envisions harnessing the full potential for development and transforming Goa into a progressive, developed State to serve as a benchmark of success and prosperity. The party is sure that the people of Goa will appreciate the party’s vision of Goa and will bless the party with a mandate of 22 plus seats in 2022,” Sawant said.

The manifesto was initially scheduled to be launched on February 6, however, the programme was postponed after the demise of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar earlier that day.