Special status issue will not hurt BJP prospects
Special status is only given to those states which are economically backward, while Goa as a state has marched ahead in all aspects.
Herald: Why special status not required for Goa?
Vinay Tendulkar: Who said it is not required. But If Goa had asked for special status and if the resolution was passed, then other states like Bihar, Telangana who are also in the race, would also ask for the same. As told by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Special status cannot be given to Goa, as the state ranks on top on all aspects and recently India Today has awarded Goa with top ranking in various categories. Special status is only given to those states which are economically backward, while Goa as a state has marched ahead in all aspects.
Herald: Had BJP never promised special status to the state of Goa?
Tendulkar: We have never promised special status to Goa in our 2012 Goa Assembly Elections manifesto. We have also provided proof by giving the press and media the old 2012 manifesto in which is it clear that BJP has never promised special status to Goa.
Herald: Don’t you think identity and culture of Goa is under threat?
Tendulkar: No I don’t think so that culture and identity of Goa is under threat. People’s argument on special status is only protection of land and BJP has been telling the people of Goa that they should not sell their land to outsiders; if they don’t sell then everything will be protected. The demonetization is likely to help in a large way as outsiders would invest huge black money in Goan properties and will also help in stopping corruption and in turn help in protecting Goan lands.
Herald: Giving 10% more financial assistance from Centre to state means everything?
Tendulkar: The state is getting enough financial assistance from the Centre and this can be equated with Special Status. The Centre has given Goa Rs, 9,000 crore for the construction of the new Zuari Bridge, Rs150 cr for the electronic city and many other projects like the Mopa international airport and recently Nitin Gadkhari had also promised to give another 10,000 crore for the Mumbai-Goa highway.
Herald: What are the steps taken by the state government to ban/control sale of land to keep identity of Goa intact?
Tendulkar: If necessary, we will bring a bill in the Assembly to protect the Goan lands. The BJP, has been saying for a long time that people should not sell their land to outsiders, if they follow it, no outsider can “intrude” which in turn will help protect the identity of Goa. Scrapping of the currency notes will also help in stopping corruption and in turn help in protecting Goan lands as before people used to invest in Goa by using black money.
Herald: Don’t you think that the issue of special status will hit your party in upcoming polls?
Tendulkar: No it will not affect the party in anyway. The BJP has been doing developmental work for the people of Goa and the people know it and we are sure that the people have faith in the BJP.
No party is interested in Goa’s special status
They will fool the voters with false promises and once again people will fall prey. However, there are a few new individuals who will be contesting for the first time. Let’s hope they will work to save Goa
Herald: What is your reaction after the government made an U-turn on the special status issue?
Sakhardande: This is the same U-turn government which passed an unanimous resolution seeking special status for Goa in the assembly on April 15, 2013. They openly speak lies without feeling an aiota of guilt. They very much used special status as a plank to seek votes in 2012 and again in 2014 and now they have the audacity to say they never promised it. Their lies need to b exposed now.
Herald: Do you think Alina has done enough for the cause?
Sakhardande: Alina Saldanha has truly been loyal to the cause of special status. In fact, she has brought the movement this far and because of of her, we could get an audience for Narendra Modi’s rally on January 12 , 2014. The BJP government of which she is a part, has cheated her and shattered her husband’s dream .
Herald: Do you think if Mathany was alive he would have managed to get special status for Goa or managed to keep up the pressure on the government?
Sakhardande: Matanhy Saldanha has been betrayed by this governemnt. It was his singular dream to have a special status for Goa . He would have been a pressure force.
Herald: Do you think the identity and culture of Goa has been under threat under BJP-led rule?
Sakhardande: I voted for BJP in 2012 and again in 2014 thinking that they would bring about a revolution in Goa by protecting Goa’s natural heritage. But they have finished our environmental natural heritage by allowing constructions on hills fields and they brought in the Coconut amendment and axed our identity heritage tree the coconut tree. See in the name of BRICS, heritage trees along the Colva – Fatorda were literally “butchered”. Sale of land has doubled now to non-Goans. They also snatched Alina’s environment portfolio because she was a thorn in their desecration of environmental heritage. This government was seeking relaxation of CRZ to please the builders and hotel lobbies. Finally, the government has become totally anti-environment and has established a nexus with builders to desecrate our natural heritage.
Herald: Which political party do you think is serious about special status to Goa?
Sakhardande: No political party is serious about special status .They are all the same. They will fool the voters with false promises and once again people will fall a prey to their promises. However, there are a few new individuals who will be contesting for the first time and who will work to save Goa. No faith in parties. Birds of the same feather in new garbs to sell Goas natural heritage and make money to last for their life long political careers.
Herald: Do you think special status can be an election agenda for the upcoming assembly polls?
Sakhardande: Yes they will all promise special status and fool us once again. When will our Goan brothers wake up to the call of Mother Goa to save her from these crafty power- hungry greedy utterly selfish time-tested vultures who all have jointly finished our Mother Goa.
