Says apprehensions created by a certain section of people
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Claiming to set aside all speculations about the minority community’s acceptability of BJP prime ministerial candidate, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday said that there are no apprehensions in the minds of minorities in the state about Narendra Modi.
“There are no apprehensions among minorities about him (Modi),” Parrikar told media persons Wednesday morning. “There are no apprehensions in the minds of people but there are certain section of people who are trying to create apprehensions,” he said.
Chief Minister’s statement comes five days after Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza said that apprehensions among the minorities over the acceptability of Modi still exist and it is very much evident through news reports. The statement had sparked a controversy and adverse reactions.
D’Souza had said that though he does not have any apprehension, the apprehensions amongst minorities still exist and they will continue. He was also the first senior BJP leader who had expressed similar feelings soon after Modi was appointed as election campaign chief during the national executive held in Goa.
Refusing to comment anything further, Parrikar said, “I don’t want to comment on Francis’ statement…he made it…let him clarify….” He also declined to comment on whether Church is responsible for raising the controversy with regards to secularism and communalism as admitted by D’Souza.
“I don’t want to comment on any religious body…they have their own ways…they can support whom they want,” Parrikar said.
The CM, who is currently busy campaigning for the LS elections said that the people’s response towards BJP is very positive.
