Team Herald
PANJIM: Claiming that the party has made realistic manifesto promises, Congress MP Sachin Pilot on Friday assured to end the growing nexus between the ruling party and casino lobby in Goa.
Addressing media persons in Panjim, Pilot said the Congress manifesto will be implemented in toto once the party forms the government. “Govt agenda would be the Congress manifesto, which has been drafted after consulting various stakeholders. We have made realistic promises,” he said.
When it was pointed out that the party promises were similar to the BJP 2012 election manifesto, Pilot said, “We have promised something that we will implement and not take U-turns. We are very clear on what we want to do; we are not going to allow more casinos like BJP did even after promising during the election and after a cabinet resolution,” the former Union Minister said.
Congress, in its election manifesto, has promised to shift offshore casinos from River Mandovi to the deep sea. BJP had made a similar promise in its 2012 poll manifesto, but casino vessels continue to float in River Mandovi.
Stating that the people had voted BJP to power with high expectations in 2012, Pilot said the party should have issued a white paper on what they did in last five years and what they intend to do now.
Throwing more light on the casino issue, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Digvijay Singh said casinos would be shifted out of Mandovi, probably to the deep sea if the rules permit. “We just want to clean the Mandovi and provide a more ethical riverfront,” he stated.
Pilot also said, “BJP government has completely disappointed the people of Goa, and hence the people have realized that Congress is the only alternative.”
He added, “Even Manohar Parrikar’s projection as Chief Minister will not help BJP this election. I am confident we will form the government on our own and this is reflected by the fact that BJP was seeking an alliance, whereas many parties were seeking an alliance with Congress.”
