Goa Democratic Front to contest both Lok Sabha seats
TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PORVORIM: Former minister Dayanand Narvekar on Sunday launched his new regional outfit ‘Goa Democratic Front’ and declared that it will contest both the North and South Goa Lok Sabha seats, at a meeting held in Mapusa.
Narvekar, who resigned from the Congress Party, also criticised the BJP and Congress.
“The party will also contest elections from Porvorim, Aldona, Tivim and Siolim constituencies in the next assembly election,” Narvekar told his supporters.
“Congress has lost its charm in Goa and under the leadership of the new State president, Congress will be totally finished,” he stated.
“In 1980, Congress had won six seats in Bardez taluka, but today existence of Congress is not seen anywhere in Bardez, former chief minister Digambar Kamat and the people sitting in the Congress House in Panjim are primarily responsible for the debacle of the Congress party,” charged Narvekar.
“I wanted to organize this meeting in Porvorim, but my party secretary was asked to obtain no objection from the local MLA. This is absurd,” said Narvekar.
“When Manohar Parrikar was in the opposition, opposition,
he raised the issue of mining scam in the Assembly and consistently demanded to recover Rs 35,000 crore from the mine owners,” he added.
“During the last Assembly election, BJP in its manifesto had stated that if the party comes to power, amount will be recovered from the mine owners. But after coming to power, Parrikar has forgotten totally about mining scam,” said Narvekar.
“If BJP endeavours to recover even 10 per cent of this money and distribute it to the people affected due to closure of mining activities, then it will be a great service to the State,” said Narvekar.
Goa Suraj Party Secretary Savio D’Souza extended his party’s support to the Goa Democratic Front and stated that a strong regional party was need of the hour. “The national parties have raped and looted Goa to the maximum extent. The regional parties can understand the problems of Goa better,” said D’Souza.
Dr Ulhas Karpe and Shashikant Sardessai also spoke on the occasion.
In the meeting, two resolutions, Special Status for Goa and recovery of at-least 10 per cent of mining scam amount by BJP government, were adopted.
Narvekar said Porvorim Congress Block Secretary Max Furtado, Aldona Block President Maria Correia, Rajesh Amonker, Jennifer Gomes, Dr Ulhas Karpe and former Assagao sarpanch Victor D’Souza have joined his party and more people are expected to join shortly.
