Panaji: Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Congress on Friday said that BJP is bringing in a divisive agenda based on politics of hatred, which needs to be defeated through the December 12 zilla panchayat elections. GFP, which is not contesting the elections, said that the polls are an opportunity to indicate to the Pramod Sawant government that Goa is looking for change.
Congress said that people will teach BJP a lesson for its politics of convenience and opportunism during the ZP elections.
“I appeal to the people of Goa to support Congress candidates in the zilla panchayat elections. I assure you that our candidates will continue to be the voice of the people and will be committed to protect the identity of Goa. I am confident that Congress will comfortably win the zilla panchayat elections,” opposition leader Digambar Kamat said.
GFP also derided BJP for fielding just one candidate from the minority community in the ZP elections.
“Goans have the opportunity to save Goa now from the grassroots and up. Use this ZP elections to tell Pramod Sawant and BJP what democracy looks like in Goa. Vote for change, but most important vote for the future of our youth,” GFP president Vijai Sardesai said.
Sardesai said that BJP makes communal sensitive policies in order to target a particular vote bank.
“This government is encouraging culture of hatred. Does this chief minister have the guts to stop the Yogi model from coming to Goa? They want to bring in their divisive agenda in Goa,” Sardesai said.
Meanwhile, Kamat said that the state government's “obsession for the celebrations” has resulted in a huge financial burden on the beneficiaries of the monthly pension social welfare schemes, who have not received the dues for more than six months.