Team Herald
PANJIM: Two former ministers have floated a new regional party – Goa Praja Party (GPP) – aiming to cleanse the State of casinos, drugs and prostitution.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, party President Pandurang Raut alleged that in the present political circumstances, the State has lost its image and cultural values.
“Goa is in danger zone. Prostitution, casinos and drugs have destroyed Goa in the name of tourism. This has in turn brought goondagiri and rapists. HIV is prevalent in the State,” the former tourism minister said.
He castigated successive governments for allowing casinos in River Mandovi. “The central government is collecting additional tax for Swach Bharat Abhiyan campaign, and is on a mission to clean River Ganga. Is Mandovi River not Ganga for us?” the former MGP member asked.
The party has been formed aiming to contest upcoming 2017 Legislative Assembly elections, though it is not yet decided on entering the fray in all 40 constituencies. “We are still in the process of expansion. The final figure will be decided in the run up to the elections,” he said adding that GPP is expanding its strength from the existing 21 members.
Commenting on the MoI, he said they are in favour of all regional languages, however, the government has complicated the issue.
The party has former BJP minister Prakash Phadte as general secretary and Ramchandra Mule as working president. Expensive land price, collecting entry tax at toll-nakas and allowing electronic dance music festivals in the State were also objected to by the new regional party.
