Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa Movement for Special Status (GMFSS) has condemned BJP National spokesperson G V L Narsimha Rao’s statement that “BJP rules out grant of special status to Goa because the 14th Finance Commission has taken and will take care of the financial needs of all the States in India.”
In a statement, GMFSS President Prajal Sakhardande said a few days earlier Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar too stated that Goa did not need special status because it was amongst the leading states in India as far as financial parameters are considered.
“This appears to be a deliberate attempt on the part of the BJP to fool and misguide the people. The demand for special status as unanimously passed in the Goa Assembly did not demand a financial package but rather demanded special status in order to protect and preserve the unique identity, heritage, culture and scarce land resources of Goa,” the statement says.
Sakhardande said this was known to all and Narendra Modi on January 12, 2014 at Merces had praised the people of Goa for asking for special status for protection of their land and culture, unlike the other States which are demanding a financial package.
“GMFSS demands to know why the issue of special status which was top most on the BJP agenda at the Parliamentary elections in 2014 has now suddenly become unattainable. ‘Give us both Parliamentary seats and we will give you special status,’ was the statement of the then CM Manohar Parrikar at every election venue,” he said adding that South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar had emphatically stated, “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”.
The GMFSS asked whether the BJP’s philosophy allows them only to make false promises to tide over the moment until the goal is achieved. “Should the people be taken for granted? Was this emotive issue utilized only in order to win the Parliamentary elections?” he asked
He asked why is BJP deliberately trying to subvert the will of the people expressed through a unanimous Assembly Resolution by giving a ‘new’ meaning. “Why this ‘U’ turn? This was a BJP government sponsored resolution and so the BJP cannot go back on its solemn promise to the people of Goa,” he said.
Sakhardande, said the time has come for GMFSS to support a party which will fulfill the unfulfilled promises made by the BJP and the Congress of giving special status.
