PANJIM: Buoyed by works inaugurated in his constituency by Pramod Sawant, the Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas went on a praising spree of CM Pramod Sawant. He went to the extent of saying that just as Goa’s First Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar had carried out construction of primary schools in Salcete after the Opinion Poll, so too Pramod Sawant was carrying out development works in Opposition Constituencies. Herald Media asked people, “What is your reaction to Venzy Viegas’ remark comparing Pramod Sawant to Dayanand Bandodkar?”
The controversy of the AAP MLA Venzy Viegas at a public function praising and equating the chief minister Dr Pramod Sawant to the legendary leader late Bhausaheb Bandodkar and his subsequent clarification is a clear indication that he made this statement out of his conviction. Now the AAP (Goa)chief’s statement on the same claiming that the statement was twisted has been negated by the clarification of his MLA and in fact has exposed that in reality that the AAP’s chief and his coterie instead of fighting the BJP, have been attacking the CM personally, allegedly acting as power brokers of the known power struggle within the BJP for the top chair.
Trajano D'Mello, Political Commentator
The problem was when Venzy Viegas started praising Bhausaheb Bandodkar on the Opinion Poll day, where we were saved from being merged with Maharashtra, because of people like Jack de Sequeira, Father of Opinion Poll. On that day comparing Pramod Sawant to Bhausaheb Bandodkar who was wanting to fully merge Goa with Maharashtra, means you are demeaning the efforts made by Dr Jack de Sequeira. Of course the goodwill Bandodkar had for the poor and the love for Goa he developed after the Opinion Poll cannot be compared with Pramod Sawant who are on a spree to destroy Goa. The whole of Goa is being murdered under his rule. We condemn the statement of Venzy and he needs to publicly apologise to the people of Goa.
Anthony D'Silva, Social Activist
There is nothing to hype in this statement. The manner in which Venzy Viegas has found support and the way he has been able to do development in his constituency, he has fulfilled the promises given to the people before the elections. He has kept his mutual relationship and made this statement sarcastically. Capt. Venzy is an educated man. He knows what to talk where. This sarcastic statement he has made he will know best and there will be a reason for saying so.
Mariano Ferrao, Social Activist