PTI, SAKTI/DHAMTARI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at Congress over a remark by its South Goa candidate Viriato Fernandes that the Constitution was imposed on Goa and said it was a ‘ploy’ to break the country.
Speaking at Lok Sabha election campaign rallies in Sakti and Dhamtari districts of Chhattisgarh.
PM Modi said “He is saying the Constitution was forced on Goa. He has told this to ‘shehzade’ (apparently referring to Rahul Gandhi)…Isn’t this an insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar? Isn’t this an insult to the Constitution? Is this not tampering with the Constitution of India?” the prime minister asked.
The Congress candidate made this statement publicly and said he told his leader about it, which means his leader has given a tacit consent to it, Modi said, in apparent swipe at Rahul Gandhi.
“It is a ploy to break the country. A huge part of the country has rejected Congress, and therefore the party wants to create such small islands,” the Prime Minister claimed.
Viriato had on Monday said that the Indian Constitution was ‘forced’ on the State after it was liberated from Portuguese rule.
Viriato has not said anything wrong: Khalap
‘Who is questioning a man who has fought in the Kargil war, are you questioning his integrity‘: Khalap
PANJIM: Former Union Minister and Congress’ North Goa candidate Ramakant Khalap on Tuesday said that party’s South Goa candidate Captain Viriato Fernandes has not said anything wrong and he has been misquoted by somebody.
Speaking to reporters while meeting people at Panjim Municipal Market, he said, “He (Capt Viriato Fernandes) has not said anything wrong. He has been misquoted by somebody. He was in the armed forces. He worked in Kargil to protect the country. You are questioning his integrity. Who are you?”
Captain Viriato sparked a controversy on Monday by allegedly saying that the Constitution was forcefully imposed on Goans.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party leaders mounted an attack on the principal opposition party terming the statement as part of the Bharat Todo politics.
BJP moves Election Commission over Cong S Goa candidate’s remarks
PANJIM: The BJP on Tuesday lodged a complaint with Chief Electoral Officer Ramesh Verma (IAS) over remarks of INDIA Bloc’s South Goa candidate Capt Viriato Fernandes.
In the complaint, Goa BJP President Sadanand Shet Tanavade said, “Viriato’s views expressed in his campaign speech suggests that he has complete disregard for the Constitution which is the very foundation of democracy and sovereignty of our nation.”
“In his speech Viriato cast aspersions over the inclusion of Goa into the India as a result of Operation Vijay leading to Goa Liberation on December 19, 1961. This speech is self-explanatory about the anti-national mindset of Viriato grossly unbecoming of a candidate in Lok Sabha elections and is an insult to the countless patriots who fought for Goa’s liberation and Goa becoming a part of mainland India after centuries of struggle,” Tanavade said and “urged” the EC to terminate candidature of the INDIA Bloc candidate.
Capt Viriato need not prove his patriotism: Timble
