MAPUSA: Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the people of Goa suffered during the Portuguese rule and continued fighting for their liberation, but the then Congress government at the Centre did not help them as Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru refused to send the Army to liberate the State from the colonial regime.
Addressing a public meeting at Bodgini, Mapusa, Modi said, that Goa needs development in all the sectors to boost tourism, he said, “Will tourists come to Goa if good roads are not provided? The BJP government has started a new campaign for developing infrastructure. Bus depots and Mopa greenfield airport will boost tourist arrivals both domestic as well as international and this will open avenues for investment.”
“Works done by the BJP, which are currently underway, should have been completed a decade ago. People were waiting for this development. So many governments were formed at the Centre but none of them understood the importance of Goa. Congress ruled the country for five decades but did nothing”, Modi charged.
“The State is moving towards Golden Goa. In 2011, when the Congress government was in power, around 25 lakh tourists visited Goa. However, by 2019, this number crossed over 80 lakh. When we focus on tourism, it is the infrastructure development, which benefits the locals,” Modi said.
“The scheme to help the MSME sector and small industries has been enhanced to Rs five lakh crore. A provision of Rs 50,000 crore has been made especially for the hospitality sector. Apart from achieving 100 per cent vaccination, Goa is number one State in attaining 100 per cent coverage under the Swacch Bharat Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, electrification and others,” the Prime Minister said adding that this was possible due to double engine government.
Modi said, “Bardez was never a priority for the Congress. BJP is trying to fulfil all the dreams of the taluka locals and will continue to do so.”
“Some political parties are considering Goa as launch pad of their personal and political ambitions. Such parties have no idea about the sentiments of the people of Goa. These parties have no agenda/vision and don’t understand Goa. They come to Goa but don’t know what to promise due to which they keep repeating the assurances made by the BJP,” he said.
“We have seen the work culture of Congress, the game of the communists and parivarvaad. The biggest strength of BJP is its workers. BJP’s core ideals are the welfare of the nation and its countrymen. I know that Goa is with the BJP”, the PM added.
