What are the issues you are taking up regarding South Goa?
Sawaikar: The most important issue is asking for special status for Goa. We have taken a resolution in this regard and would like to present it before the Central government. Special status is required to control the land related problems faced by Goa. Secondly, Dabolim airport stability; we will ask for central funds to stabilize the functioning of the airport. Thirdly, dual citizenship; it came up when the issue was taken to the court. The Union home ministry and Goa government should sort out this matter by discussing it. It is important because if a suitable decision is not taken then it will affect lakhs of Goan people adversely. Tourism development, infrastructure development related to tourism and expansion; employment generation, non-polluting industries and environment friendly industries will be encouraged to generate employment for Goan youth.
What is your stand regarding the Mopa airport?
Sawaikar: We are not aware about the necessity of Mopa airport presently. But in the present situation, Dabolim is able to cater to the needs of the tourists/travelers, and experts say that it will be able to sustain that pressure for the coming 30 to 40 years.
Congress has challenged you to a lead in Salcette. Do you have any planning to achieve it?
Sawaikar: Salcette is a taluka like any other taluka in Goa. MLAs of different constituencies have pledged their support to me. The work we have done in this region is being appreciated by the locals and I am sure to gain good number of votes in this taluka.
You have been working for the last two years and do you think you will be rewarded for it in these elections?
Sawaikar: I had participated in the 2009 election and we lost by around 12500 votes. We did not back out and we started work along with my co-workers while doing this, we started to take up peoples problems and tried to solve them. Now our government is ruling in the State and we are also trying to solve the problems which can be solved through the government. And due to this I am confident we will get the peoples support and win the seat.
Mining was shut don by BJP. What is your opinion?
Sawaikar: It is actually an unsubstantiated allegation. Mining was shut down based on the findings of the Shah Commission. The Shah Commission was appointed in March, 2010, they submitted two reports and the second report was submitted in September 2012. Then it was tabled in the Parliament and an MOEF team was sent to Goa to suspend the EC clearances. Now the Supreme Court has suspended mining activities. Taking this into consideration it cannot be considered that mining was stopped by BJP.
There is a CD in circulation which shows Manohar Parrikat saying that he shut down mining. What will be the effect of the CD on the voters?
Sawaikar: I have not seen the CD, as per my knowledge the government had given an administrative order on September 10, 2012 to suspend mining activities for one month. Now it is not in effect. And the main reason why it is shut down is because a case pending before the Supreme Court.
Now do you expect to win the lost 12500 votes along with other votes?
Sawaikar: In a democracy the votes are more important. Voters vote taking into consideration the works done by the parties. We have reached out to many people through government schemes or other things.
What is the Modi effect on Goans? What will be the importance of his name to the BJP?
Sawaikar: He is the prime ministerial candidate. What has happened in the last 10 years is a known fact to the people. People want development of the nation. They take into consideration who is working honestly for the betterment of the people for the growth of the State and the nation.
In the North, BJP is using Modi’s name to attract votes but in the South it is using secular issues for its purpose of winning votes. What do you have to say?
Sawaikar: Under the Constitution itself we have to be secular and we cannot differentiate between two issues. Every body knows that Modi is the prime ministerial candidate. These issues are just political issues and they do not affect us.
What are you doing to attract minority votes?
Sawaikar: The BJP government has worked without differentiating between minority and majority. All the schemes which have been implemented are for the betterment of people from all religions.
BJP is using social media to influence voters, what is your opinion?
Sawaikar: Social media has come up in the last few years, and the youth are the driving force behind this. To reach the common voter we being a party will use all the available tools to do so and social media is one of them.
What is the party doing to attract new voters?
Sawaikar: Our party has a youth wing, women’s wing and other wings which work for the party. Today’s generation thinks about development and they too have been giving their opinion on social media. BJP has become even popular for the work they have done.
What will be the effect of party spoilers on the prospects of BJP? (vote division)
Sawaikar: Whoever wants to contest in the election can do so. Voters are the decision makers. And what the voters decide is more important.
How many votes are you expecting?
Sawaikar: I am fully confident that the party will win the seat in south Goa. We are working tirelessly for achieving this together.
Will MGP be supporting the campaigning?
Sawaikar: MGP is in alliance with the BJP and it is fully supporting both the BJP candidates in Goa. They are also campaigning for BJP candidates along with us.
There has not been any national leader coming to Goa for campaigning. Why is it so?
Sawaikar: Modi had come to Goa on January 12, and immediately election dates were declared. People are still discussing regarding that meeting and everybody in the party is working hard for BJP.
Goa has only two LS seats, so, how can it influence the national total?
Sawaikar: Parliament will have 100% representation if we win both the seats. And because of the 100% representation the Centre will consider implementing the issue of the state provided we also pressurize them to do so. Numbers are not important but 100% representation will be more useful to the State.
