Team Herald
MARGAO: Goa Forward Party President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai came down on the Chief Minister’s decision to hold the upcoming 12-day Budget Session from March 24 to April 12 when the dates conflict with the Holy Week of Lent which marks Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, observed by Catholics across the State.
“Like the ‘Good Governance Day’ and the apathy towards beef scarcity, this is another premeditated attempt to endear himself to his BJP bosses by victimising the minorities,” said Sardesai.
Sardesai said “Sawant is posturing as the flag bearer of their divisive and communal agenda in Goa.”
Sardesai demanded postponement of the Budget Session until after the Holy Week, and that the Chief Minister and the Minister of Legislative Affairs, Mauvin Godinho apologise to Goa’s Catholic community for this blatant insensitivity.
Sardesai said that the present government is ‘completely power hungry, works for outsiders, and looks down upon Goenkars with contempt.’
Sardesai added that “as Goans, we cannot tolerate disrespect to our Catholic brethren and their feelings. We are one community, Hindu, Catholic and Muslim; why is Sawant working hard to divide us if not to please his handlers in Delhi?”
The GFP chief said that “though the CM may claim to have forgotten the dates of the Holy Week just like he forgot the Opinion Poll Day, the fact remains that he has never showed any interest, involvement or intent in anything Goan.
This government should fire their ‘Delhi-consultants’ with their vested interests, and immediately “listen to the voice of the people of Goa.”
Sardesai pointed out that the Chief Minister is bent on destroying secular fabric of Goa and is sending a clear message that Goan Catholic sentiments do not matter.
“This is all the more reason that we need to unite as Team Goa and fight this apathetic regime,” he stated.
