MANDREM: In a public meeting at Mandrem on Wednesday, the Congress-Goa Forward Party alliance candidate Deepak Kalangutkar was cheered by a massive crowd that chanted the slogan ‘Chal, Ya Fuddem’. The meeting, in which the alliance partners were fully represented, was addressed by GFP President Vijai Sardesai, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar and Ex-Union Minister Ramakant Khalap, among others. Also present were Sindhudurg District Congress President Chandrakant Gawade, GPCC Vice President Babi Bagkar, GFP Vice President Dilip Prabhudesai, GFP Gen Secy Mohandas Lolienkar, GPCC Secretary Pradip Dessai and GFP Treasurer Sushant Ghodge.
Chodankar accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of taking Goans for granted and not paying any heed to their aspirations. Chodankar said, “Only the BJP can even think of nominating candidates for the assembly elections, who are involved in sex scandals, involvement in molestation and who have openly indulged in corruption. Mandrem is a perfect example as they have fielded a person accused in various scandals including the infamous ‘Sopte Tax’. Against him, our candidate is a blemish less fresh face who has the potential to bring development to Mandrem and rid your area of all vested interests. The other candidates are either worn-out or ancient or involved in the land mafia. All of Goa is looking for a change for the better, which only the Cong-GFP can provide. Your vote should be for our candidate Deepak Kalangutkar and I promise, on his behalf, that you will never regret voting for him.”
Ramakant Khalap said, “I am happy that Mandrem has a chance to vote for such a good candidate like Deepak. He has proved his social commitment in the past and I think it a privilege to ask you to vote for him.” The senior Congress leader pointed out highlights of the Congress manifesto, which he said, is a sincere attempt by the Congress to place before the people what can be done by a sincere government and he promised, “I assure you that if the alliance is voted to power, we will fulfill each and every promise in the manifesto”.
Kalangutkar addressed the meeting holding his Mandrem-specific manifesto in his hand. He said, “My team has compiled this manifesto after consulting all sections of society in Mandrem. We are focusing on lives and livelihoods and are proposing solutions to the many problems that people of Mandrem face. Elect me for five years and let’s change the face of Mandrem together.”
Sardesai spoke last before the crowd who had waited all along to hear him. He lambasted the BJP for its misgovernance resulting in the huge price rise which the public is facing. He said, “The BJP is here to just loot the state and acts at the behest of corporates like Adani & Jindal. They are not bothered about our future generations and are here just to fill their pockets. One major area of scams is land deals, and the money of the land mafia is behind all the 3 candidates who are against Deepak Kalangutkar. Mandrem is ripe for such scams and if you have to save land in Mandrem for your children, your only choice is Deepak. The BJP candidate is a ‘virus’ that you have to rid Mandrem of and only Deepak with his youth and backing of the youth can rescue Mandrem.
