TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Disclosing the reason why he skipped BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi’s Vijay Sankalp rally at Merces, St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh on Tuesday said that ‘he feared for his life at the rally’, expressing lack of trust in Manohar Parrikar-led government and in BJP.
He said that he had not received any invitation for the rally, while facing the prospect of BJP demanding an explanation from him about his absence at the Modi rally.
Addressing a press conference this afternoon, Wagh also said that he had his reservations whether Modi was capable of converting the crowds that came for his rallies into votes. Wagh also disputed the party claim that over 4000 people from St Andre participated in the rally saying that the number would not be more than 200.
“A crowd of such high proportions does not mean all will vote for BJP at the Lok Sabha polls,” MLA Wagh said on Tuesday adding ‘Narendra Modi can draw crowds, but we will have to see if he can attract voters’.
On his absence at the rally Wagh said, “There was a threat to my life at the rally as there was every possibility that the assailants (involved in the alleged attack on Wagh), who are scot free, would be present at the rally. There was possibility of yet another attack on me.”
“I could not risk my life by attending the rally…politically I am very safe but as an individual there is a threat,” he added.
The absence of St Andre MLA caused much embarrassment to the BJP leadership, even as the party roped in alliance partners –all three MGP MLAs, Independent MLAs Benjamin Silva and fisheries minister Avertano Furtado to the rally and Goa Vikas Party MLA Caetano Silva.
“I am waiting for the party leaders to question me, there will be counter questions from my side,” said a combative Wagh, adding he too has several questions to ask the party regarding its approach towards him. The MLA expressed dissatisfaction about government’s and party’s attitude in connection with the assault on him.
Wagh said that none of the BJP leaders’ nor the government showed any concern towards him and the case is heading nowhere.
“The people, who attacked me, are moving free, despite I giving the names of the assailants,” he alleged adding “Government has also failed to provide any protection to me.”
A mob of around 100 had allegedly attacked Wagh and had damaged his car on December 19 at Revora, where he had gone to attend a cultural function organized by NCP president Nilkant Halarankar. While Wagh had mentioned names of 10 people in his FIR, only one person was arrested. He too was later granted bail.
Wagh, said, “Modi is a good speaker and people came to hear him,” but that doesn’t mean they will be converted into votes, he added.
There was a threat to my life at the rally as there was every possibility that the assailants (involved in the alleged attack on Wagh), who are scot free, would be present at the rally. There was possibility of yet another attack on me St Andre MLA, Vishnu Wagh
