Poll Talk

Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) Panjim candidate Dr Ketan Bhatikar on Monday released a “Clean Panaji- Green Panaji” manifesto which assures to scrap casino licenses. Addressing the media, Dr Bhatikar said, “Though Panjim has been the capital of Goa, it has not developed the way Panjimites wanted it to be. GSM will make efforts to have the licenses of casinos in Mandovi River and 5-star hotels cancelled which will help reduce black money, drugs and prostitution.”

The manifesto promises to develop Panjim as a cultural hub so as to give an authentic picture of Goan culture and history while protecting the aesthetics and ethos of the city. In terms of welfare services, he promised senior citizen clubs and help lines and to make Panjim ‘Fear Free’. The manifesto promises good quality roads and footpaths, solar street lights, cleansing of Mala lake and St Inez creek, market at Mala and an electric crematorium. He also talks of making Panjim beggar-free and taking steps to improve cleanliness in the market and providing drinking water at key spots.

Goa Praja Party (GPP) on Monday released its manifesto ahead of the Goa Assembly elections which promises to oppose casinos in River Mandovi terming it a harmful culture, make Goa a safer place by eliminating drugs while supporting Marathi language. Extending support to the Mopa Airport the manifesto calls for need to control the influx of migrants. The party also promises to oppose leasing historical forts to tourism related companies. GPP President Pandurang Raut also slammed former Goa RSS chief Subhash Velingkar for failing to keep his promise on the Bicholim seat. Addressing the media, Raut said, “Velingkar after forming an unconditional alliance with GPP had announced my candidature from Bicholim and I had started work in the constituency but after aligning with MGP, he failed to keep his promise and without any discussion allotted the seat to Naresh Sawal.”