Panaji: Former TMC Goa founder member Yatish Naik joined BJP along with his supporters on Monday. Naik had earlier quit Congress following his differences with former GPCC president Girish Chodankar, and had joined TMC ahead of the 2022 assembly elections. However, a few months after he joined the Mamata Banerjee-led party, he called it quits. He had sought to contest the elections from Saligao. The former TMC member was inducted into BJP on Monday by party state president Sadanand Shet Tanavade, who said that although Naik had decided to join BJP immediately after he left TMC, he chose to wait until the elections concluded. “Stability and development are the two mantras that can lead the state to prosperity,” Naik said and added that people who are concerned about Goa will agree with BJP’s core philosophy of stability and development. “I will work for the party as per the responsibilities given to me,” he said.
PANAJI: Former TMC Goa founder member Yatish Naik joined BJP along with his supporters on Monday. Naik had earlier quit Congress following his differences with former GPCC president Girish Chodankar, and had joined TMC ahead of the 2022 assembly elections. However, a few months after he joined the Mamata Banerjee-led party, he called it quits. He had sought to contest the elections from Saligao. The former TMC member was inducted into BJP on Monday by party state president Sadanand Shet Tanavade, who said that although Naik had decided to join BJP immediately after he left TMC, he chose to wait until the elections concluded. “Stability and development are the two mantras that can lead the state to prosperity,” Naik said and added that people who are concerned about Goa will agree with BJP’s core philosophy of stability and development. “I will work for the party as per the responsibilities given to me,” he said.
New Delhi: Nearly three months after joining the Trinamool Congress (TMC), its five primary members, including former legislator Lavoo Mamlatdar, on Friday resigned from the party, accusing it of being communal and trying to create a divide between Hindus and Christians for votes. The resignations come just months ahead of the crucial Assembly elections in the state."We had joined the AITC with a hope that it would bring brighter days for Goa and Goans. But it is unfortunate to bring to the notice that AITC has not understood Goa and Goans," the leaders said in their resignation letter to party chief Mamata Banerjee.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com"AITC move to polarise Hindu votes towards MGP and Catholic votes towards AITC is purely communal in nature. We do not want to continue with a party that is trying to divide Goans. We will not allow AITC and the company managing AITC Goa to break the secular fabric of the state and we shall protect it," the letter added.Lavoo Mamlatdar had joined the Mamata Banerjee-led party in the last week of September. He was among the first few local leaders in the state to join the Trinamool Congress, which has decided to contest all 40 seats in the Goa Assembly polls, due in February 2022.
Goa Congress' strength in house is down to two. (Image: PTI)In yet another jolt the Congress ahead of the Goa Assembly polls, the party’s state working president, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, resigned as Member of the Legislative Assembly on Monday, reducing the party’s strength to two in the 40-member House. Two other Congress leaders had also recently resigned as MLAs in the state, where elections are due early next year.Notably, the Congress last week declared its first list of eight candidates for the forthcoming state polls, and Lourenco’s name figured in it. Lourenco, who represented the Curtorim Assembly segment in south Goa district, submitted his resignation to the Assembly Speaker’s office on Monday afternoon. He later also resigned from the Congress, sources said. Lourenco, who was the working president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, was not available for comments.He may join the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) soon, the sources said. Earlier this month, former Goa chief minister Ravi Naik resigned as Congress MLA. A few months back, ex-CM Luizinho Faleiro had also quit the Congress and joined the TMC, which has decided to contest the Goa Assembly polls.In the 2017 Goa Assembly elections, the Congress had won 17 seats in the House and emerged as the single largest party. But, the BJP, which had bagged 13 seats, quickly tied-up with some regional parties and independents to form government in the state.Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here.
PANAJI: One of the most vocal critics of BJP and chief minister Pramod Sawant, former Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte joined the party on Friday saying his tirade against the party and Sawant were due to "minor differences". Khaunte, who had launched a vitriolic diatribe against Sawant calling him 'Pappu' and even comparing him with Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro for Covid mismanagement that led to thousands of deaths in the tiniest state, was at pains to justify his move to join BJP. "Forget what I have said earlier. We should move ahead. We have to forget these minor differences and look at the future of Goa," he said. Khaunte, who had even said BJP was filled with "tainted members" and should get a "washing machine to clean them" after he was unceremoniously dropped by Sawant from his cabinet, said: "Today, we have to work together." He said by joining BJP, his "ideas and ideology" has not changed, but he joined to "take my ideas forward". "Political and ideological differences make for vibrant legislation. When we do legislation, there is no personal enmity. It is only about the issue. When we are in opposition and criticise the government, we try to put forth the issues before the government," Khaunte said. The former Porvorim MLA, who has been critical about the three linear projects that cut across the green lung of Goa-Mollem biodiversity hotspot-said his stand has not changed and he would continue to oppose them. "Earlier, we were in the opposition and were trying to put across our point. Today, we have a chance to sit together and resolve the issues in the interest of the state," he said. Khaunte joined BJP in the presence of Sawant, BJP's Goa election in charge Devendra Fadnavis, state party president Sadanand Shet Tanavade and other functionaries. Sawant, while welcoming Khaunte into their fold, tried to downplay the personal attacks against him. "Constructive opposition is required in the assembly and in democracy. Till it is not there, the state cannot function properly. Whenever he has played the opposition's role, we have taken it positively and when required, he has supported the government," Sawant said. "Khaunte has not joined BJP for his gain, but to help the people of the state for the next 20 years. I assure you (Khaunte) that BJP is a parivar and you will get a lot of love. We will work together to expand the parivar," Fadnavis said.
Panaji: One of the most vocal critics of BJP and chief minister Pramod Sawant, former Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte joined the party on Friday saying his tirade against the party and Sawant were due to “minor differences”. Khaunte, who had launched a vitriolic diatribe against Sawant calling him ‘Pappu’ and even comparing him with Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro for Covid mismanagement that led to thousands of deaths in the tiniest state, was at pains to justify his move to join BJP. “Forget what I have said earlier. We should move ahead. We have to forget these minor differences and look at the future of Goa,” he said. Khaunte, who had even said BJP was filled with “tainted members” and should get a “washing machine to clean them” after he was unceremoniously dropped by Sawant from his cabinet, said: “Today, we have to work together.” He said by joining BJP, his “ideas and ideology” has not changed, but he joined to “take my ideas forward”. “Political and ideological differences make for vibrant legislation. When we do legislation, there is no personal enmity. It is only about the issue. When we are in opposition and criticise the government, we try to put forth the issues before the government,” Khaunte said. The former Porvorim MLA, who has been critical about the three linear projects that cut across the green lung of Goa—Mollem biodiversity hotspot—said his stand has not changed and he would continue to oppose them. “Earlier, we were in the opposition and were trying to put across our point. Today, we have a chance to sit together and resolve the issues in the interest of the state,” he said. Khaunte joined BJP in the presence of Sawant, BJP’s Goa election in charge Devendra Fadnavis, state party president Sadanand Shet Tanavade and other functionaries. Sawant, while welcoming Khaunte into their fold, tried to downplay the personal attacks against him. “Constructive opposition is required in the assembly and in democracy. Till it is not there, the state cannot function properly. Whenever he has played the opposition’s role, we have taken it positively and when required, he has supported the government,” Sawant said. “Khaunte has not joined BJP for his gain, but to help the people of the state for the next 20 years. I assure you (Khaunte) that BJP is a parivar and you will get a lot of love. We will work together to expand the parivar,” Fadnavis said.
NT NETWORKPanajiFormer MLA of Porvorim constituency Rohan Khaunte joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday along with his large number of supporters, at a special event held in the city.BJP’s Goa election desk in-charge Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and state BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanawade were present on the occasion.Sawant, speaking during the induction of Khaunte into BJP, said that the former Porvorim MLA played the role of a constructive opposition in the assembly.“Khaunte had always raised the issues for the welfare of Goa and Goans on the floor of the House,” he added.Chief Minister recalled the reforms implemented by Khaunte during his tenure as the minister for information technology, revenue and labour and employment, which are still being continued by the current government.Fadnavis, in his speech, revealed how a call from the central leadership prompted him to convince Khaunte to join the BJP. He said that with the induction of Khaunte into BJP, entire efficiency had come to the side of BJP.Before joining BJP, Khaunte along with his brother Rajesh sought blessings of the deity Mahalaxmi in city and later walked to the BJP office along with his supporters.Khaunte said that he decided to join BJP only after consulting his workers, Zilla Panchayat members, core groups and well wishers, who gave him a go ahead. He said that during his entire tenure, he spent seven-and-a-half years as an opposition member taking up the issues that are relevant for the state and also for the constituency.Former Porvorim MLA said that he nurtured differences with the chief minister but they were towards creating positive changes in Goa. “The political and ideological differences make democracy vibrant,” he said. After the induction ceremony, Khaunte left for New Delhi accompanied by Fadnavis to meet senior BJP leaders.
He alleged that the TMC was trying to divide Hindu and Christian votes. (File Photo: News18)Nearly three months after joining the Trinamool Congress (TMC), former Goa legislator Lavoo Mamlatdar on Friday resigned from the party, accusing it of being communal and trying to create a divide between Hindus and Christians for votes ahead of the state Assembly polls.The former Ponda MLA had joined the Mamata Banerjee-led party in the last week of September. He was among the first few local leaders in the state to join the TMC, which has decided to contest all 40 seats in the Goa Assembly polls, due in February 2022.He also alleged that the TMC was collecting the data of people in the name of rolling out a welfare scheme for women in the state if it is voted to power after the elections. Talking to reporters after resigning from the party, Mamlatdar said, “I had joined the TMC because I was fully impressed with Mamata Banerjee-led party’s performance in West Bengal (Assembly polls held earlier this year)." “I was under the impression that TMC is a very secular party. But from whatever I have noticed in the last 15-20 days, I came to know that it is worse than the BJP," he alleged. The TMC has forged a pre-poll alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), of which Mamlatdar was an MLA between 2012 and 2017.He alleged that the TMC was trying to divide Hindu and Christian votes. “As part of their pre-poll alliance, they want that the Christian votes should go to the TMC and Hindu votes to the MGP…The TMC is a communal party, which is trying to disturb the secular fabric," he alleged. He accused the TMC of trying to collect the data of people in the name of its Griha Laxmi scheme. “We have found that under its Laxmi Bhandar scheme introduced in West Bengal, only Rs 500 are given, while here they are promising Rs 5,000 to women under the Griha Laxmi scheme, which is next to impossible. The promise of the scheme is entirely to collect data from Goa," he said.Gorkha Janmukti Morcha Leader Binay Tamang Joins TMC, Says Want to see Mamata Banerjee as PMFormer Gorkha Janmukti Morcha Leader Binay Tamang Joins TMC, Says "Hills Top Priority"With PTI inputsRead all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here.
NT NETWORKPanajiAlina Saldanha, who recently joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on Friday said that BJP is no longer the party of late Manohar Parrikar’s time or the one that her husband late Matanhy Saldanha had joined with a lot of hope for the state and the people of Goa.Speaking in Delhi, Saldanha said, “I had to leave BJP for various reasons. The party seems to have forgotten its principles and that is why I joined AAP which works for betterment of common man.”She had extended support to the campaign that opposed three linear projects planned through Mollem biodiversity hotspot including the track doubling that stands to destroy hundreds of houses in her constituency.Saldanha joined Aam Aadmi Party in the presence of AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi.Speaking about linear projects, Saldanha said she tried to convince Chief Minister Pramod Sawant about the impact Goa will face if tracks are doubled, that it will lead to destruction of many houses in her constituency, so also that coal dust will not only cause air and water pollution but will damage the aquatic life.She said that such projects cannot be termed as development projects because these projects are anti-people. “Therefore, as an elected representative of the people, I felt it was my duty to stand by the people. I will do that till my last breath because that was what my husband would have done,” Saldanha said.“As a matter of fact, if late Saldanha was alive today he would have been fasting somewhere or sitting on the tracks trying to persuade the government to stop the linear projects and would have continued fighting to protect the people and the state,” she said.“I am in Delhi and I have seen developmental projects and progress done by AAP and only then I made up my mind to join the party and renounce BJP,” she added.Kejriwal said, “I want to assure Goans that no such projects will be imposed on Goans without their consent. The people of Goa feel that the central government is bringing these projects to benefit a few capitalists. We are against it. If the AAP government is formed, no work will be done without the consent of the people of Goa,” adding that Goans have lost faith in both the parties Congress as well as BJP.“AAP is the only hope for Goans. If AAP is elected, it will provide an honest government,” he said.
Mahua Moitra alleged that all political parties in Goa were in cahoots with the ruling BJP. (File)Panaji: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra today alleged that all political parties in Goa are in cahoots with the ruling BJP, and also accused the Congress of doing nothing all these years.Addressing a press conference, Ms Moitra also slammed BJP chief JP Nadda, saying that since his party was rejected in West Bengal, he was targeting the TMC in Goa.The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC has decided to contest the Assembly polls in BJP-ruled Goa, which is just a few months away."All the parties in Goa are in cahoots together...If you want to defeat the BJP, the Congress has not done nothing all these years," she claimed."(Senior Congress leader) P Chidambaram coming here one day and walking on the road is not going to do something. I am here everyday. Mr Chidambaram comes here for a day and goes," TMC's Lok Sabha member said.She was referring to the Congress's rally against inflation taken out recently in the state, in which Mr Chidambaram, who is Congress's election observer for Goa, took part.Ms Moitra talked about three issues in Goa - destruction of environment for three linear projects in Mollem forest area, renovation of Kala Academy project and illegal structure at archaeologically protected area of Old Goa.She said that all the political parties in Goa have not done anything on these issues."Congress raises every issue, but we have not seen sustained question and answers from them," she alleged.Ms Moitra said that TMC is here to question the BJP in a sustained manner and put pressure on it."TMC will raise these issues in Parliament," she stated.When asked about Mr Nadda's recent statement against the TMC over its rule in West Bengal, Ms Moitra asked, "JP Nadda ji hai kaun? (Who is JP Nadda?)...He is president of some national party, why should we comment on him."Mr Nadda, during his recent visit to Goa, had alleged that the law and order situation in West Bengal is deteriorating under the Mamata Banerjee government.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comMs Moitra further said, "Mr Nadda went to Bengal and made accusations. But what happened? People of Bengal rejected him. Now, he can't go to Bengal, so he is commenting in Goa. So why should I comment on some other party's national president? I wish him good luck." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The TMC seems to be dividing the secular votes and helping BJP, Dinesh Gundu Rao said.Panaji: The Congress accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) of helping the ruling BJP by dividing secular votes in Goa where Assembly elections will be held in the next few months.Addressing Congress workers at the Thivim constituency on Saturday evening, hours after Goa Forward Party leader Kiran Kandolkar joined TMC, AICC Goa desk incharge Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “It's sad to note that at a time when Goans, in general, are anxiously waiting to end the BJP misrule, concerted attempts are being made to divide the anti-BJP vote”.The TMC seems to be dividing the secular votes and helping BJP, he said."The new parties that have entered Goa don't seem to understand the prevailing public mood and sentiment against the BJP. They also seem to have failed to gauge the public sentiment that like-minded parties should come together in 2022,” he added.When the Congress and other like-minded parties have been trying to come together with a one-point agenda to defeat the BJP in 2022, these new parties seem to be on a mission to divide the anti-BJP votes, Rao said in an apparent reference to Congress veteran Luizinho Faleiro switching sides to TMC, which nominated him to Rajya Sabha.“These parties first lured Congress leaders and workers with positions. Now, they are targeting the regional parties by poaching their candidates. People are watching. They are mature enough to see the game plan of these new parties that a division of votes will benefit the ruling party," he added.In the 2017 Goa Assembly polls, the Congress had won the highest 17 seats in the 40-member House restricting the BJP at 13. However, the BJP allied with regional parties- GFP and MGP- to form a government under the late Manohar Parrikar.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comOver years, the Congress' strength dwindled to four as many MLAs switched over to the ruling BJP. Faleiro recently joined the Mamata Banerjee-led party.(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"It is TMC's aim to ensure that Goans get good governance," Luizinho Faleiro said.Panaji: Trinamool Congress party leader Luizinho Faleiro on Thursday said Goa does not need to ape Gujarat or Bengal to solve its problems."Goa does not want the Gujarat model or the Bengal model, but needs a Goa model, and that will happen only if the people of Goa decide what''s best for Goa," he said at a press conference."It is TMC's aim to ensure that Goans get good governance," he added.Mr Faleiro also slammed his detractors who have said his nomination to the Rajya Sabha was a "retirement package".He had not retired, and he wanted to raise the coastal state''s issues in Parliament, he said.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comMr Faleiro thanked party chairperson Mamata Banerjee for giving him the opportunity and added that he will not make compromises, nor make empty promises.He also accused the Congress of being involved in "the wholesale business of selling MLAs and dividing votes".
NT NETWORKPanajiWith an eye on the upcoming Goa assembly polls, the Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress has nominated former Goa chief minister and the party’s national vice president Luizinho Faleiro as its candidate for an upcoming bypoll to a Rajya Sabha seat from West Bengal.The Trinamool Congress (TMC) party on Saturday also appointed its Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra as in-charge of the party’s Goa unit with immediate effect.After resigning as Congress legislator on September 27, Faleiro had joined TMC on September 29 in Kolkata in the presence of Banerjee. He was subsequently appointed as the national vice president of the party on October 22.A bypoll has been necessitated after TMC MP Arpita Ghosh tendered her resignation from the Upper House of Parliament on September 15. By-election to the Rajya Sabha seat is scheduled to be held on November 29.As the veteran Goan politician is all set to become a member of the Upper House, sources in the TMC said the former chief minister will also be contesting the upcoming Goa assembly elections, scheduled to be held early next year.“We are extremely pleased to nominate Luizinho Faleiro to the Upper House of the Parliament,” AITC announced the decision via a tweet from the party’s official handle, stating that the party is confident that his efforts towards serving the nation shall be appreciated widely byour people.Faleiro is the second Goan politician, who has been nominated to a Rajya Sabha seat from another state. Former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh after his induction into the Union cabinet as the Defence minister in 2014.In a press release issued on Saturday, national general secretary of TMC Abhishek Banerjee said Mamata Banerjee is pleased to appoint Mahua Moitra, Lok Sabha MP from Krishnanagar, as in-charge of the party’s Goa unit with immediate effect.“AITC chairperson Mamata Banerjee looks forward to a brighter future for Goa, with All India Trinamool Congress paving the way with courage and wisdom,” he said.Meanwhile, Faleiro thanked Mamata Banerjee and all his party members for nominating him to the Rajya Sabha. “I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Goans at the national level and pledge to make Goans heard,” he said. He also said Goans would now find a voice in the Parliament to raise their issues with the help of TMC.“There are a number of issues including the granting of special category status to Goa on the lines of the Northeast states besides environment, double-tracking of the South West railway track, three linear projects and attempt by the BJP to make Goa a coal destination. I will raise all these issues in the Parliament,” he said.The TMC party has already announced its plan to contest the upcoming Goa legislative assembly elections in 2022 and has been working to build its base in the state. The party chief was in Goa from October 28 to October 30 and interacted with people from various walks of life.
Luizinho Faleiro has been named as Trinamool Congress' candidate for upcoming Rajya Sabha bypoll.Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Saturday named its vice president Luizinho Faleiro as its candidate for the upcoming bypoll to a Rajya Sabha seat from West Bengal.Mr Faleiro, the former chief minister of Goa, had quit the Congress and joined the TMC in September."We are extremely pleased to nominate @luizinhofaleiro to the Upper House of the Parliament. We are confident that his efforts towards serving the nation shall be appreciated widely by our people!" the TMC said on Twitter.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comThe Rajya Sabha bypoll is scheduled to be held on November 29.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
KOLKATA: The All India Trinamool Congress nominated its national vice president and former Goa chief minister Luizinho Faleiro to the Rajya Sabha on Saturday. Faleiro, who quit the Congress party a few months ago, will be the voice of Goans in the Upper House of Parliament, said TMC in a statement. We are extremely pleased to nominate @luizinhofaleiro to the Upper House of the Parliament.We are confident that⦠https://t.co/VJhpteBoBV— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) 1636783428000The 70-year-old former Navelim MLA has been the face of the Mamata Banerjee-led party in Goa. However, sources within the party had maintained that TMC, which has decided to contest upcoming Goa elections, would not project Faleiro as the chief ministerial candidate. "I am thankful to all my fellow AITC party members and Mamata Banerjee for nominating me to the Rajya Sabha. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Goans at the national level and pledge to make Goans heard," said Faleiro. âWe are extremely pleased to nominate Luizinho Faleiro to the Upper House of the Parliament. We are confident that his efforts towards serving the nation shall be appreciated widely by our people,â said TMC in a statement. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has thrown its hat into the Goa assembly election, slated for early 2022, with its slogan Goenchi Navi Sakal (new dawn for Goa). With near zero presence in the state, the TMC has initiated a high decibel campaign, run mainly by political strategist Prashant Kishor's Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC). TMC has tried to project itself as an alternative to the Congress party and the BJP in Goa. The West Bengal unit has already started its campaign in parts of Salcete with Tennis champion Leander Paes holding corner meetings and interacting with locals. âThe party has done what it had promised by giving a stronger representation to Goa at the national level,â said TMC.
Panaji: West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Saturday appointed its Lok Sabha MP from Krishnanagar, Mahua Moitra, as its in-charge of the Goa unit, with immediate effect. In a press note issued by the partyâs general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to announce Moitraâs appointment, TMC said that it âlooks forward to a brighter future for Goa with TMC paving the way with courage and wisdomâ. âLooking forward to doing my very best,â Moitra posted on Twitter soon after her appointment was officially announced by the party. TMC has been trying to expand its footprint in Goa, and has already launched its poll campaign. With Moitraâs appointment coming the same day Navelim ex-MLA Luizinho Faleiro was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by TMC, political sources said that the moves indicated the seriousness of the party leadership in contesting the 2022 assembly elections in Goa, despite having zero presence in the state.
KOLKATA: With an eye on the 2022 assembly polls, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday appointed MP MP Mahua Moitra in-charge of the party's Goa unit with immediate effect. In a statement, the party said, "Our honourable chairperson Mamata Banerjee is pleased to appoint Mahua Moitra, (MP, Krishnanagar Lok Sabha) as the state in-charge of AITC Goa unit with immediate effect." Earlier in the day, the party nominated former Goa chief minister Luizinho Faleiro for bypoll to a Rajya Sabha seat in West Bengal. Faleiro, who left the Congress to join the Mamata Banerjee camp in September, currently holds the post of TMC vice-president. Banerjee, the TMC supremo, had visited Goa last month and interacted with party workers and leaders there. (With inputs from agencies)
PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday that he raised the issue of violence against women in West Bengal at the BJP national executive meeting. He said that even though Bengalâs CM was a woman, there was violence against women there. âI criticised the violence against women in West Bengal. I condemned the act of TMC with regards to rape of women in West Bengal,â he said. He also said that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee should first understand the meaning of democracy and then go to other states. Sawant said that everyone can come to Goa, but that there should be no anarchy Sawant said that he welcomes political tourism in the state, and that it would gain momentum by February. Sawant said that he twice got the opportunity to speak at the national executive â first, at the time of passing of the political resolution introduced by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, and second, on the preparation for the Goa assembly elections. Sawant said that a resolution was also passed that the violence against women in West Bengal should not take place in other states.
PANAJI: Months after chief minister Pramod Sawant came for sharp criticism for his insensitive remarks on gangrape of minor girls at a South Goa beach, he said on Monday that the state government would soon take more steps towards ensuring womenâs safety and security in the state. Sawant, who had earlier dismissed issues of rising crime against women, indirectly admitted the state needs to do more. âWe will take more steps towards the safety and security of women in the coming days,â he said at the inaugural function of the National Womenâs Parliament, organised by the legislature secretariat and the state government. While he said he feels upset when crimes are committed against women in the state, the chief minister maintained that Goa leads all other states where crime detection is concerned. âGoa has a crime detection rate of 93%. One canât compare this with other states,â he said. A few months ago, Sawant had told the state assembly after the gangrape of minors that teens, particularly minors, should not be âspending the nights on beachesâ. âWhen 14 year olds stay on the beach the whole night, the parents need to introspect. Just because children donât listen, we cannot put the responsibility on the government and police,â he had tried to justify. Sawant said resolutions passed at the National Womenâs Parliament would be sent to the Goa assembly and to Parliament, too. Highlighting Goaâs achievements, Sawant said the state has accorded 33% reservation for women at the panchayat and zilla panchayat levels, enabling many to become public representatives. He also said Goa is steadily becoming self-reliant, a goal that will be achieved in this, the 60th year of its Liberation. The National Womenâs Parliament, he said, has been organised to encourage women in the avenues of business, career, employment, and leadership. He also said that people from all sectors should visit the venue and participate in debates and discussions involving central and state government schemes, and problems faced by women, among other topics. Lauding women for working in all sectors, Union minister for state Shripad Naik exhorted them to come out in large numbers and take the country forward. Benaulim NCP MLA Churchill Alemao, who was also present at the event, urged the chief minister to protect the communal harmony of the state. The National Womenâs Parliament comprises participants from Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. The first day saw sessions on socio-political challenges in women empowerment, womenâs status and decision-making power, and women in corporate life.
Panaji: Expressing concern over the rising crimes against women, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Monday said the state government will take more steps for the safety of women in Goa in the near future.Speaking at the inaugural function of the National Women’s Parliament at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium at Taleigao Plateau, Sawant said he feels grief, as crimes against women have been increasing in the state.The two-day event has been organised by Goa legislative assembly in coordination with the state government and MIT School of Government, Pune.“It is a matter of concern when crimes against women are increasing. However, it is also important to note that the detection rate with regard to crime cases in Goa is very high. Goa is on top in the country in detecting crimes with 93 per cent detection,” he said.Highlighting various initiatives and schemes, the Chief Minister said the state government has been supporting women to take up self-employment so that they are self-reliant. “Under Swayampurna Goa initiative, the government is working with ten-point programmes, especially focussing on women empowerment. The state government has also launched the website ‘know your schemes’ so that people can take benefits of various schemes,” he said.Sawant said efforts of the government to make Goa self-reliant can be successful in the near future if women support the Swayampurna Goa initiative and avail benefit under various schemes.Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Tourism Shripad Naik appealed to the women to pursue their passion and hobbies to become self-reliant.Minister for Arts and Culture Govind Gaude said India can become a superpower in the world if women are empowered with all facilities.Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Churchill Alemao said when we celebrate democracy through a women’s parliament, all should keep aside political differences. He appealed to the government to take measures for maintaining unity among the Goan people.Former minister Nirmala Sawant, executive director of MIT School of Government Rahul Karad and Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha also spoke on the occasion. Speaker of the state legislative assembly Rajesh Patnekar welcomed the dignitaries.
