Narendra Modi News

Tribal museum to come up in Ponda
Navhind Times | 1 week ago
Navhind Times
1 week ago

Centre gives Rs 15 crore for projectPanaji: The central government has sanctioned a fund of `15 crore for setting up a tribal museum in Ponda.The project cost of `15 crore will be borne by the tribal welfare ministry.In all, 10 museums of this kind will be set up across the country, in the states where tribal movements took place against the colonial rule.“To commemorate the long-overdue sacrifices of the valiant tribal freedom fighters and exhibit their traditional heritage, the ministry is establishing ten tribal freedom fighters museums across the length and breadth of India,” it stated.The ten museums will come up in Gujarat, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Manipur, Mizoram and Goa.The ministry maintained that the tribal museum in Ponda will be established to showcase the contribution of tribal heroes during the Indian freedom struggle in Goa.These museums will further preserve and promote songs, music, art skills, handicraft and crafts passed down from generation to generation.The tribal museums will help educate the younger generation about India’s tribal history and will also boost tourism in the respective regions.The announcement as regards the ten tribal museums were made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year after inaugurating a museum in Ranchi dedicated to Birsa Munda, the folk hero and freedom fighter.

Tribal museum to come up in Ponda
Goa CM Pramod Sawant urges retired teachers to guide youth, support PMs vision
Times of India | 1 week ago
Times of India
1 week ago

PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday urged retired teachers to guide the youth in every sector to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a new India. Sawant was speaking at a function organised to felicitate superannuated teachers by the University College Teachers’ Association. He said that religious leaders also guide people, but not everyone goes to religious leaders. “Those people who are not going to religious leaders should also be given guidance, especially youth. It is not only for their career, but also for culture. If we want to preserve our culture then we have to provide guidance on the same. I think you should take initiatives to give guidance to youth especially in careers,” he said. Sawant added that he has seen a lot of youth who seem to be clueless of the next steps in their career after graduation. “If you work selectively, like in village panchayat or municipal wards where you stay and give proper guidance to at least 10 students a year with the knowledge you have, then it can fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a new India,” he said. He added, “Most of the time youth lose their way and teachers like you with vast experience can bring them on track.” He appreciated teachers as role models in society who have also created new role models

Goa CM Pramod Sawant urges retired teachers to guide youth, support PMs vision
Seaplane project will boost state’s tourism: Sawant
Navhind Times | 2 weeks ago
Navhind Times
2 weeks ago

CM attends Sagarmala panel meeting in New DelhiPanaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the seaplane and small aircraft operations proposed by the Civil Aviation Minister shall enhance tourism potential in Goa.Sawant attended the Sagarmala apex committee meeting under the chairmanship ofUnion Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on Friday.He said that fruitful deliberations took place during the meeting on the progress of Sagarmala project.“Goa’s share in India’s export shall rise. The proposed seaplane and small aircraft operations will diversify and expand the scope of tourism and economic opportunities in Goa,” he said.The Chief Minister submitted in the meeting that inclusion of institutions like National Institute of Oceanography, National Institute for Polar and Ocean Research, Council of Scientific Research, etc, will increase the scope and research-drivenapproach towards the implementation of the project.“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision is leading India towards the port-led development with the Sagarmala project,” Sawant said.

Seaplane project will boost state’s tourism: Sawant
In meeting with PM Narendra Modi, Goa CM Pramod Sawant seeks guidance on development
Times of India | 3 weeks ago
Times of India
3 weeks ago

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday — his first meeting after becoming chief minister for the second time — and discussed various issues pertaining to the state. He also sought guidance from the Prime Minister regarding Goa’s development and talked about preparedness for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the ongoing national highway expansion project and the Mopa international airport, as well as progress made on Swayampurna Goa 2.0. Sawant will attend a conclave of chief ministers and chief justices of high courts in New Delhi on Saturday. Before he was sworn in as chief minister of Goa, Modi had assured him of full support from the Union government for Goa’s progress. Sawant had also recently met with home minister Amit Shah over mining issues, and it was decided that all the mining leases — including the 88 whose second renewal was quashed by the Supreme Court — would be auctioned.

In meeting with PM Narendra Modi, Goa CM Pramod Sawant seeks guidance on development
Soon, masterplan for every municipality in state: Rane
Times of India | 4 weeks ago
Times of India
4 weeks ago

Panaji: The urban development department will soon formulate a masterplan for each municipality, urban development minister Vishwajit Rane said. Rane, who chaired a meeting with department officials, said that the masterplan will be prepared only after consultation with stakeholders and councillors. During the meeting, the minister reviewed all the ongoing projects as well as proposals that were stuck for various reasons. “We examined all completed and pending projects, and projects in the pipeline. I have directed the officials to investigate how to best utilise the central government’s schemes, ensure ease of doing business in-line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and to develop a masterplan for each municipality in consultation with the local bodies,” Rane said. The department will also undertake a public awareness campaign to educate people about the it’s services. Sources said that similar review meetings will be held once a month to evaluate the status of pending projects, utilisation of grants and functioning of the municipalities. While several masterplans have been drafted for the state capital, plans to draw up a masterplan for Mapusa have been announced on several occasions. In October 2014, the then BJP government had prepared a masterplan for Margao by awarding the contract to LKS India Pvt Ltd.

Soon, masterplan for every municipality in state: Rane
Johnson visits Sabarmati Ashram, tries his hand at operating charkha
Navhind Times | 1 month ago
Navhind Times
1 month ago

Press Trust of IndiaAhmedabad/New DelhiBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Ahmedabad on Thursday as part of his two-day India trip and visited the famous Sabarmati Ashram and met industrialist Gautam Adani, a day before his formal talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on key international and bilateral issues in New Delhi.Ahead of Johnson’s visit, the British High Commission said the U.K. and Indian businesses will confirm more than £1 billion in new investments and export deals in areas from software engineering to health, creating almost 11,000 jobs across the U.K.Johnson›s engagements in Gujarat also included visits to a manufacturing facility of JCB, a British construction equipment firm in the Panchmahal district and the famous Akshardham temple of the Swaminarayan sect in Gandhinagar.When asked about India›s position on Ukraine, Johnson said his country has already raised the Ukraine war issue with Modi at a diplomatic level, and added that everybody understands that India and Russia shared “very different relationshipshistorically”.“Well, we have already raised the issue of Ukraine with Prime Minister Narendra Modi diplomatically. Actually, they (India) were very strong in condemnation of atrocities in Bucha (a city in Ukraine),” Johnson told reporters at an event to inaugurate a new JCB factory, to be set up at an investment of £100 million (nearly `995 crore).“I think everybody understands that India and Russia have historically had very different relationships, like Russia and the U.K. had in the last couple of decades,” Johnson further said while replying to a question about whether he will raise the issue of India’s stand on Ukraine with Modi.“We have to reflect that reality while talking about it (Ukraine) to Narendra Modi,” he further said.The UK High Commission statement also said,” As he moves on to New Delhi on Friday, the Prime Minister will also use this week’s visit to drive progress in negotiations on the landmark U.K.-India free trade agreement, which is expected to help double our trade and investment by 2030.”“Negotiating teams will hold their third round of formal talks in India next week,” it said.The High Commission said work is already progressing on cutting red tape for businesses following the U.K.-India Enhanced Trade Partnership launched by both prime ministers last year.The governments will announce new measures to make it easier to export U.K.-made medical devices to India that will support U.K. jobs and create opportunities for British med-tech companies like Redcar-based Micropore Technologies to sell their lifesaving products in India, an import market worth £2.4 billion, it said.Johnson started his public engagements by visiting Sabarmati Ashram, the place from where Gandhi led India›s struggle for freedom from the British colonial rule for more than a decade.A replica of the charkha was presented to Johnson by Sabarmati Ashram authorities during his visit. The visiting dignitary also tried to operate a charkha kept in Hriday Kunj, the house of Gandhi in the Ashram premises.He hailed Mahatma Gandhi as an “extraordinary man” who mobilised the principles of truth and non-violence to change the world for the better.“It is an immense privilege to come to the ashram of this extraordinary man, and to understand how he mobilized such simple principles of truth and non-violence to change the world for the better,” Johnson wrote in the visitors’ book at the Gandhi ashram.

Johnson visits Sabarmati Ashram, tries his hand at operating charkha
Sawant leaves for Delhi on official visit
Times of India | 1 month ago
Times of India
1 month ago

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday left for Delhi on an official visit. Besides saying that he has meeting in Delhi, Sawant did not disclose any details. Sawant, on Tuesday afternoon, cancelled the cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday morning. This is his first visit to Delhi after taking over the reins of the state. A senior officer said that while there is no meeting scheduled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but there is a possibility that he will meet the PM to discuss various issues pertaining to the state. Modi had assured the Goa government of all help in taking development ahead. TNN

Sawant leaves for Delhi on official visit
BJP sweeps legislative council elections in U.P.
Navhind Times | 1 month ago
Navhind Times
1 month ago

Press Trust of IndiaLucknowA month after its resounding victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has swept the biennial polls to the state’s Legislative Council by winning 33 out of the 36 constituencies.One of the three local authority seats it failed to bag was in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency, where it stood a distant third.According to the results declared on Tuesday, the BJP won 24 of the 27 seats, where polling was held last week. In addition, the BJP had won nine of the 36 seats unopposed.Two Independents and a candidate from the Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik) emerged victorious in the elections. The results take the BJP past the halfway-mark in the 100-member House. Now, it will have 67 members in the Upper House of the statelegislature.The Samajwadi Party (SP), the main opposition in the state, drew a blank. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged rigging in the polls as he accused the ruling BJP of the bid to weaken democratic institutions to retain power.In Varanasi, BJP’s Sudama Patel stood third with just 170 votes as Independent candidate Annapurna Singh secured a resounding victory with 4,234 votes. Samajwadi Party’s Umesh Yadav got 345 votes, Varanasi District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said.Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated BJP candidates and workers on the party’s victory in the polls. In a Hindi tweet, he said the win reflects people’s faith in the BJP’s development model.Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the winners and said the BJP’s resounding victory has again established that people of the state have faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Before the polls, the BJP had 34 members in the House.“In the last elections held in 2016, the BJP had not won any of the seats, which went to polls this time,” U.P. Minister J.P.S. Rathore said.The mood at the BJP office here was upbeat as jubilant party workers danced and distributed sweets to mark the party’s victory. Not much activity was seen at the Samajwadi Party office. Sources said SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and some other leaders were present in the party office in the state capital.The highest victory margin was of 5,939 votes in the Moradabad-Bijnor constituency where BJP’s Satyapal Saini defeated Ajay Malik of the SP. The victory margin was the lowest in the Jhansi-Jalaun-Lalitpur seat where Rama Niranjan of the BJP defeated SP’s Shyam Sundar Singh by 579 votes.Akshay Pratap Singh of Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik) defeated BJP’s Hari Pratap Singh in Pratapgarh by a margin of 1,107 votes. The BJP lost Azamgarh-Mau seat to independent candidate Vikrant Singh ‘Rishu’ by 2,813 votes.Bharatiya Janata Party’s Ravishankar Singh Pappu, grandson of former Prime Minister Chandrasekhar, won from Ballia seat, defeating SP’s Arvind Giri by 1,981 votes. In the Lucknow-Unnao constituency, BJP’s Ramchandra Pradhan defeated Sunil Singh ‘Sajan’ by 3,088 votes.C.P. Chand of the BJP defeated Rajnish Yadav of the SP in Gorakhpur-Maharajganj seat by a margin of 4,432 votes. Similarly in Allahabad, K.P. Srivastava of the BJP defeated SP’s Vasudev Yadav by 1,658 votes.In Barabanki, BJP’s Angad Singh trounced Rajesh Kumar Yadav of the SP by 1,745 votes. In Sitapur, BJP’s Pawan Kumar Singh defeated Arunesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (SP) by 3,692 votes while in Basti, BJP leader Subhas Yaduvansh defeated SP’s Santosh Yadav by 4,294 votes. Bharatiya Janata Party’s Hari Om Pandey defeated Heeralal Yadav of the SP by 1,680 votes in the Faizabad seat.There were 95 candidates in the fray and the polling was held at 739 centres, according to the Uttar Pradesh chief electoral officer. As many as 1,20,657 people were eligible to vote in the polls held on Saturday.Nine MLCs from eight local authority constituencies – Budaun, Hardoi, Kheri, Mirzapur-Sonbhadra, Banda-Hamirpur, Aligarh, Bulandshahr and Mathura-Etah-Mainpuri – have been elected unopposed. Two MLCs were elected unopposed from the Mathura-Etah-Mainpuri constituency, while one MLC each was elected unopposed from the remaining constituencies.In the 100-member Legislative Council, the BJP will now have 67 MLCs, Samajwadi Party 17 and the Bahujan Samaj Party four. The Congress, Apna Dal (Sonelal) and the NISHAD party have one member each in the House.

BJP sweeps legislative council elections in U.P.
Brahmeshanand’s Padma award is proud moment for Goa: PM
Times of India | 1 month ago
Times of India
1 month ago

Margao: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes to Brahmeshanand Acharya Swami, head of Shree Kshetra Tapobhoomi, Kundaim, on receiving the Padma Shri award. A press note from Tapobhoomi said that during his interaction with the Swami, Modi said that it was a “proud and historic moment for Goa” and congratulated Goans as well as his devotees across the world “for witnessing this grand recognition in the field of spirituality.” Brahmeshanand Acharya Swami was awarded this year’s Padma Shri by the government of India in the field of spiritualism. Brahmeshanand Swami heads 21 institutions which are active in spiritual, educational, social and cultural fields, which carry out the work of the Padmanabh Sampraday in India and abroad. A strong proponent of inter-faith dialogue for conflict resolution and progress, the seer is a regular distinguished speaker at various inter-religious international peace meets. He was also a “peace convener” for Hindu Buddhist congregations in Colombo, Sri Lanka recently.

Brahmeshanand’s Padma award is proud moment for Goa: PM
Salcete legislators ‘fail’ to make it to cabinet
Navhind Times | 1 month ago
Navhind Times
1 month ago

StaffReporterMargaoAfter several decades, Salcete failed to see any of its legislators making it to the state cabinet.PramodSawant government was sworn in on Monday at a grand ceremony held inthe presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers and otherstate ministers.Sourcesinformed that Independentlegislator ofCurtorim, who has extended his support to theBJP governmentwould get a cabinet berth, however that didnothappen.Navelim legislator, who won for the first time is the onlyBJP legislator from the taluka, and whether he would find a place in the cabinet only time will tell.Salcetehas given chief ministers, deputy chief ministers and ministersto the state over a period of time but had never been without a reprehensive in the cabinet. “I have no comments to offer,” said the former chief ministerChurchill Alemao. ThethenBJP governments led byManohar Parrikar andLaxmikant Parsekar had ministers in their cabinet from Salcete.

Salcete legislators ‘fail’ to make it to cabinet
PM Modi should roll back fuel hikes: Calangute MLA Michael Lobo
Times of India | 1 month ago
Times of India
1 month ago

PANAJI: Calangute MLA Michael Lobo on Saturday said that the continuous increase in fuel prices has put an additional burden on the common man and the move to impose higher fines on motorists from April 1 will hurt the average Goan even further. Lobo said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrives in Goa on Monday, needs to understand people’s pain and reduce the fuel prices, otherwise the cost of other essential commodities will also rise. Modi along with senior BJP functionaries will arrive in Goa for the swearing in of Goa chief minister designate Pramod Sawant. “I hope somebody in the audience stands up and tells the PM that people are really feeling the heat of the increase in fuel prices. The Prime Minister needs to understand this and help to reduce the prices,” said Lobo. He was speaking after a meeting of all the opposition legislators at the assembly complex to chalk out a strategy for the two-day assembly session that will commence on March 29.

PM Modi should roll back fuel hikes: Calangute MLA Michael Lobo
Fuel price hike BJPs anti-people agenda: Congress
Times of India | 2 months ago
Times of India
2 months ago

Margao: Reacting to the hike in prices of petrol, diesel and LPG, Congress termed the BJP government “insensitive” and “irresponsible” saying that it has “once again displayed its anti-people agenda by raising fuel prices immediately after assembly elections”. Congress general secretary and Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao and GPCC media cell chairman Amarnath Panjikar in a joint statement on Tuesday also criticised BJP for the delay in government formation in the state. Referring to an earlier tweet of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wherein he had appealed to the people to fill their fuel tanks anticipating price hikes after assembly polls in five states, Alemao said that Gandhi was proved right once again. “Better late than never Narendra Modi ji. You have once again foolfilled the jumlas of BJP. Awaiting roadshow from vibrant Smriti Irani today,” Alemao’s tweet read. Alemao also slammed acting chief minister Pramod Sawant over his announcement that the swearing-in of the new government will be held on March 28. “Convenience of the people of Goa is more important than the convenience of Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and other BJP Leaders. Goa wants a full-fledged government in place immediately. Stop wasteful expenditure on event management and hold swearing-in in the darbar hall of Raj Bhavan immediately,” Alemao said in another tweet. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played a cruel joke on the citizens by hiking petrol, diesel and LPG prices. BJP’s election jumlas stand exposed,” Panjikar said. Both Alemao and Panjikar appealed to the people to question BJP over its “anti-people agenda” and to demand that BJP MLAs adopt austerity measures as the state treasury has “already been emptied by the previous BJP government”.

Fuel price hike BJPs anti-people agenda: Congress
  • Congress criticises BJP over fuel, LPG price hike

    • Navhind Times

    Staff ReporterMargaoThe Congress on Tuesday took to criticising the BJP over the central government’s recent fuel, LPG price and the state government’s delay in formation of the government.The party’s recently elected MLA from Cuncolim, Yuri Alemao took to criticising the BJP calling it insensitive and irresponsible and calling the developments an ‘anti- people agenda’.“The most insensitive, irresponsible BJP government has once again displayed its anti-people agenda by increasing petrol, diesel and LPG cylinder prices immediately after the assembly elections. The convenience of the people is paramount above the convenience of BJP leaders. The Goa Government›s swearing-in must be done immediately,” said Alemao.In a joint statement released by Alemao and GPCC media cell chairman Amarnath Panjikar, the party also referred to a tweet from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi earlier this month.“Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on March 5 had appealed to the people to make their fuel tanks full anticipating a fuel price hikes after the assembly polls in five states. He has been proved right again. As for the swearing in on March 28, the convenience of the people of Goa is paramount compared to the convenience of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and other BJP leaders. Goa wants a full-fledged government in place immediately. Stop wasteful expenditure on event management and hold the swearing-in at the Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan immediately,” said Alemao.Panjikar meanwhile said that even before the BJP government could be sworn-in, it had played a cruel joke on the citizens of the country by hiking petrol, diesel and LPG prices. The BJP’s election ‘jumlas’ stand exposed, he said.Both the leaders appealed to the people to question the BJP over its anti-people agenda and also demand that the BJP MLA›s to adopt austerity measures as the State’s treasury was made empty by the previous BJP government.

New govt likely to be sworn in on March 22
Navhind Times | 2 months ago
Navhind Times
2 months ago

Special CorrespondentPanajiThe swearing-in of the new government, in all probability, will now take place on March 22, after the end of the Holashtak, an ‘inauspicious’ period linked to the Holi festival. The event is expected to take place at the Campal Ground in the city.The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, Sadanand Tanawade, on Thursday said the central observers of his party would be arriving in Goa after March 21, following the Holi festivities, and the leader of the BJP legislature wing would be announced thereafter.Interacting with the media, Tanawade said, “These 2-3 days would go in the Holi celebrations; the government formation is delayed, as the BJP central leadership wants to form governments together in all the four states where the party has won the recent assembly elections.”He also informed that the swearing-in ceremony would be held on a grand scale with the national BJP leaders in attendance.The state BJP president, however, avoided speaking on the induction of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) into the BJP-led government.Meanwhile, Tanawade and the state BJP general secretary (organisation), Satish Dhond, met the Governor, P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, on Thursday noon following news reports that efforts are on to form a non-BJP government in Goa.Later, speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’, Tanawade said that he and Dhond went to the Raj Bhavan on a courtesy visit to the Governor. “The Governor would be leaving on a visit to Karnataka, and we wanted to pay him the courtesy visit before his departure,” he added.The caretaker Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, also told the pressmen that the new government will be formed after the Holi celebrations. “There is no infighting in BJP,” he asserted.Incidentally, the Valpoi legislator and one of the aspirants for the post of chief minister, Vishwajit Rane, got upset when the media asked him about the delay in deciding the chief ministerial candidate in Goa. A visibly upset Rane reacted sharply by stating that he should not be asked such silly questions.Several national media outlets have already reported that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has approved Pramod Sawant as the next chief minister, and it is merely a formality left to announce his name for the coveted post.It may be noted that Sawant, along with the local BJP leaders and the desk in-charge of the party for Goa, C. T. Ravi, had met the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on Wednesday and briefed him on the success of BJP at the recently held Goa assembly polls.Tanawade and Dhond were also present on the occasion. Sawant, along with the local BJP leaders and Ravi, also met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.Sawant and Tanawade also met the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.

New govt likely to be sworn in on March 22
  • Goa: New govt to be sworn in after Holi, says Sadanand Shet Tanavade

    • Times of India

    Panaji: Swearing in of the new government in the state will take place after Holi, BJP state president Sadanand Shet Tanavade said on Monday. However, the new legislative assembly will be constituted on Tuesday after the newly-elected members of the house are administered the oath, but the tenure of the current assembly will end on March 15. The state party president said that central leaders are considering holding the swearing-in-ceremonies of all four states on the same day after Holi. BJP on Monday evening appointed Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Union minister of state for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying L Murugan as central observer and co-observer respectively for the election of the leader of the legislative party in Goa. After appointment as the pro-tem speaker of assembly, the newly-elected Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar was administered the oath of MLA by governor P S Sreedharan Pillai on Monday. Gaonkar will administer the oath to all the newly-elected members of the house. The governor has summoned the assembly at 11.30am on Tuesday for the purpose. The governor dissolved the state legislative assembly with immediate effect on Saturday evening. Pillai on Saturday appointed Pramod Sawant as the caretaker chief minister following his resignation as the chief minister. BJP emerged as the single largest party after securing 20 seats in the 40-member assembly. It has secured support from three independent MLAs-elect and MGP. In 2017, BJP won 13 seats, and with the support of MGP, GFP and independent MLAs, it formed a coalition government under the leadership of Manohar Parrikar. Later, former health minister Vishwajit Rane, who was elected as a Congress MLA, resigned and got re-elected as a BJP MLA. In 2018, two more Congress MLAs, Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar, joined BJP and got re-elected after contesting byelection. Sawant took over the reins of the state in March 2019 after the death of Parrikar. Soon after, two former MGP MLAs, including former deputy chief minister Manohar Ajgaonkar and former PWD minister Deepak Pauskar, merged the MGP legislature wing into BJP, taking the total number of BJP MLAs to 17. BJP’s numbers further increased to 27 MLAs after former deputy chief minister Chandrakant Kavlekar, along with nine other MLAs, merged the Congress legislature party into BJP.

Rane on CM queries: Dont ask me faltu questions
Times of India | 2 months ago
Times of India
2 months ago

Panaji: Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane on Friday lost his cool after reporters asked him if he was in the race for the chief minister’s post. Rane, who was visiting former chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s ‘smriti sthal’ (memorial site) at Miramar on the occasion of his death anniversary, retorted that such questions should be asked to BJP’s central leaders. “Don’t ask me such ‘faltu’ (useless) questions. The media’s job is to sensationalise. I have come here to pay tributes to my leader. You can ask such questions to our central leaders,” Rane said. Incidentally, the former health minister’s name has been doing the rounds in political circles for the chief minister’s position. Three days ago, Poriem MLA and Rane’s wife, Deviya, had said that her husband was ready to take over as chief minister as he has 15 years of political experience. She had, however, said that the final decision would be taken by the party’s leadership. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured Goa’s caretaker CM, Pramod Sawant, of full support from the Union government for Goa’s progress.

Rane on CM queries: Dont ask me faltu questions
Sawant likely to continue as CM
Navhind Times | 2 months ago
Navhind Times
2 months ago

Indo-Asian News ServiceNew DelhiEven as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues with its exercise to firm up the outline of new government in Goa following its victory in the recent assembly polls, there are indications that the BJP leadership is likely to put its faith again in Pramod Sawant to lead the new dispensation in the state.A senior state BJP leader has stated that Sawant’s name has been cleared after a meeting with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Sawant, who appeared to have been facing competition from Vishwajit Rane, the Health Minister in Sawant’s previous stint as Chief Minister from 2019-22, met the Prime Minister on Wednesday.The BJP officials in Goa were unwilling to come on record.A senior party leader, however, said that Sawant’s name would be officially announced by the party’s central leadership soon.Some members of the new cabinet are also expected to be sworn in after the Holi festivities, the BJP leader said.

Sawant likely to continue as CM
Double-engine govts infrastructure development led people to BJP: Goa CM
Times of India | 2 months ago
Times of India
2 months ago

After securing majority single-handedly, chief minister Pramod Sawant spoke to Murari Shetye about the advantage of double engine government to BJP, and laments losing a few seats by small margins. BJP has managed to secure 20 seats for the first time single-handedly under your leadership without forging an alliance. Comment. We were expecting 22 seats but we got less. It is due to the collective efforts of the leadership right from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to our party president J P Nadda. With the works carried out by the double-engine government during the last three years of my leadership, and the growth the state has seen, the people of the state decided to give us a majority. There were too many political parties in the fray, including TMC, RGP and AAP. Do you think division of votes proved advantageous for BJP? Wrong. I would say that there was no division of votes. Rather, in many constituencies, they did fixing to divert the votes. In my constituency, MGP got 250 votes. Nowhere does BJP have an advantage due to division of votes. BJP’s works have helped BJP to secure the majority. I feel sad because two-three of our constituencies witnessed a very close fight. Otherwise, we would have secured Siolim, Mandrem and St Andre too. TOI: AAP and RGP have managed to open their account in this election. How do you look at this shift by Goans to new parties? Sawant: People want new alternatives, because of which people went to AAP and RG, is what I feel. But BJP is expanding its base. For the first time, we have contested 40 constituencies, our vote share has increased from 32% to 33.3%. TOI: How will you handle issues like the three linear projects and coal handling? Sawant: The way Goans have given a majority to BJP, people have accepted that it is working towards taking Goa forward. With the work done for last three years, the people have supported us. TOI: What are the factors that went in favour of BJP? Sawant: Double-engine government, infrastructure development, the efforts taken by us, and the continuous campaigns done by our central leaders went in our favour. TOI: To whom would you give the credit for this victory? Sawant: I would like to give the credit of this victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party’s central and state leadership, and mainly, the karyakartas. For making Goa swayampurna and Atmanirbhar Bharat, people have once again elected BJP.

Double-engine govts infrastructure development led people to BJP: Goa CM
Pramod Sawant rushes to Delhi to brief PM on political scene
Times of India | 2 months ago
Times of India
2 months ago

PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday rushed to New Delhi to meet PM Narendra Modi to brief him about the political scene in the state ahead of counting day on Thursday. Sawant is scheduled to meet Modi at 12 noon on Tuesday to discuss the formation of the next government. The crucial meeting will be held after most exit polls showed Goa to have witnessed a fractured mandate in the election. A senior BJP functionary said that Modi would discuss and deliberate the next plan of action. tnn This is the first meeting between Modi and Sawant after polling day. Meanwhile, BJP state president Sadanand Shet Tanavade will leave for Mumbai on Tuesday to meet BJP’s Goa election in-charge Devendra Fadnavis to brief him. BJP, for the first time, contested all 40 constituencies, and in the absence of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar. Fadnavis has already held talks with MGP over a post-poll alliance. BJP is also in touch with independent candidates who have high chances of being elected. The election is crucial for Sawant to prove his leadership skills as BJP fought the polls under his leadership.

Pramod Sawant rushes to Delhi to brief PM on political scene
Congress to move Supreme Court
Navhind Times | 3 months ago
Navhind Times
3 months ago

Panaji: After the High Court upheld the Goa Assembly Speaker’s order dismissing petitions seeking disqualification of the MLAs who joined the BJP, the Congress party on Thursday said that it will challenge the order before the Supreme Court.Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar, who is a petitioner in the case, said that the order of the High Court has given power to MLAs to change the mandate of the people.“The order will encourage politics of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre…with the use of money, they can change the mandate of the people. It is against the democratic values. This order is going to set a bad precedent, not only for the Congress but all political parties in the country, as after an election, a few MLAs can come together and make a decision to join another party,” said Chodankar.“The very spirit of the Tenth Schedule (of the Constitution) has been destroyed by this order. The purpose of the Tenth Schedule is to prevent defection and horse trading. It is necessary that this order is challenged, we will challenge it before the Apex Court,” he added.

Congress to move Supreme Court
Compensation demanded for ‘losses’ due to helipad work
Navhind Times | 3 months ago
Navhind Times
3 months ago

Mapusa farmers claim they were not aware of the workMapusa: Demanding compensation for damage caused to fields near the Bodgeshwar temple in Mapusa due to construction of a ‘helipad’, farmers alleged that they were not taken into confidence by authorities before setting up the helipad. They claimed that a loss of around ` 10 lakh has been caused.The farmers have written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue and demanded compensation towards the loss.The owner of Om Sai Creation Aniket Naik, in a letter to the Prime Minister, said that “during your visit to Mapusa for election campaigning, a helipad was constructed due to which my advertisement hoarding was destroyed without any intimation, which has caused me a loss of ` 3.80 lakh.”Naik said he is a small-scale entrepreneur and this loss is huge to him and added that along with the hoarding there were many things that were destroyed. He noted that although the helipad was set up, it was not utilised.He said if he was informed about the helipad and the need for clearing the site that required removal of the hoarding, he would have taken measures to avoid losses.A farmer Kalpana Pednekar claimed that no intimation was given about the helipad work and said that, without any consent, coconut trees were removed, cement pillars and net around a nursery and farmland were destroyed.President of Shri Bodgeshwar Shetkari Sangh Sanjay Barde said that these farmers have suffered losses and they should be compensated appropriately.

Compensation demanded for ‘losses’ due to helipad work
Mapusa helipad: farmers seek compensation
Times of India | 3 months ago
Times of India
3 months ago

Saligao: The Bodgeshwar Xetkari Sangh has demanded that the chief minister compensate farmers whose fields were used to construct a helipad for PM Narendra Modi to attend BJP’s public meeting at. The association said the farmers were not informed about the plans by the authorities concerned.TNN

Mapusa helipad: farmers seek compensation
Some parties using state as launchpad
Times of India | 3 months ago
Times of India
3 months ago

Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said some political parties consider Goa as the launchpad for their personal and political ambitions even as he assured the people that every vote given to BJP would turn the state into ‘Golden Goa’. Hitting out at TMC and AAP, which are in the fray for the fast-approaching assembly elections, Modi said, “They have no understanding of Goa. They have come to Goa, but do not know what announcements to make. They are repeating the works of BJP in the form of promises. The people also know their truth. They have told these parties clearly to keep their violence and ‘goondagardi’ to themselves and to let Goa peacefully march ahead on the path of development.” tnn

Some parties using state as launchpad
Modi vows to fulfil aspirations of Bardez, says Cong neglected it
Times of India | 3 months ago
Times of India
3 months ago

Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the Bardez taluka has never been among Congress’ priorities even as he assured the people residing in its jurisdiction that BJP would make all efforts to fulfil their aspirations. “When coastal development gets priority, Bardez is bound to benefit. It is unfortunate that to date, Congress has never shown any concern about Bardez. With BJP, the ambitions of Bardez will also get strengthened. We are making all possible attempts to fulfill the aspirations of the people here,” Modi said at BJP’s ‘Jan Sankalp Sabha’ at Mapusa. Bardez comprises seven constituencies, the second-highest after Salcete. Considered to be among BJP’s strongholds, Congress — through former BJP minister and its Calangute candidate Michael Lobo — is trying hard to make inroads into most of the taluka’s constituencies. Lobo’s wife, Delilah, is the Congress candidate in Siolim.

Modi vows to fulfil aspirations of Bardez, says Cong neglected it
Cong: BJP destroyed Indias social environment
Times of India | 3 months ago
Times of India
3 months ago

Panaji: All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Tariq Anwar on Thursday said that BJP has destroyed the social environment of the nation. “Modi has failed to resolve the issues raised by the people of this nation. The worst of things are happening. The communal harmony of the nation has been destroyed,” Anwar told reporters. He said that while the nation grappled with the unemployment issue, the BJP government has done nothing to resolve it. “The youth are frustrated due to lack of job opportunities. The common man has been struggling with rising inflation each passing day, and the poor are suffering,” he said. He said that the unemployment situation in Goa is no different. Citing PM Narendra Modi's statement, “We are firm believers in democracy. We also believe that criticism is an essential part of democracy”, chairperson of AICC research department M V Rajeev Gowda said that, however, if anyone speaks against the government they are booked under sedition charges.

Cong: BJP destroyed Indias social environment
Modi brought to hide BJP’s mistakes: Lobo
Navhind Times | 3 months ago
Navhind Times
3 months ago

Mapusa: Claiming that winds of change are blowing in Bardez, Congress leader Michael Lobo said that issues are many which are not resolved in Mapusa and to counter and to hide the facts that development has not been done, PM Narendra Modi is being brought to Mapusa with an attempt to seek votes but it will not affect people.Lobo along with Congress’ Mapusa candidate Sudhir Kandolkar and others were campaigning in Mapusa on Wednesday.Hitting out at the BJP leaders, Lobo said, “I don’t know what BJP leaders will answer to PM Modi why he is brought to Mapusa. No development has been done, jobs are being sold. An MLA was vice-chairman of GSIDC but he failed to undertake development. All seven seats in Bardez are in danger. People of Bardez are angry because jobs were sold, development was not done,” said Lobo.Lobo further claimed that no one can change people’s mind through speeches and announcements as the common man is under burden due to inflation, rising petrol prices.Appealing to the people of Mapusa to support the Congress candidate, Lobo said, “Mapusa has not developed in the last 25 years. Despite the BJP government for the last five to ten years, it has failed to do development and this time BJP is going to the opposition. Therefore, Mapusa people need to stay with the ruling party that is Sudhir Kandolkar.”

Modi brought to hide BJP’s mistakes: Lobo
Traffic arrangements for PM’s visit
Navhind Times | 3 months ago
Navhind Times
3 months ago

Panaji: In view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting at Bodgini in Mapusa, new traffic arrangements have been made. The buses from Porvorim side bound for the meeting will be diverted at Green Park junction to proceed via Canca-Parra road, come upto Gandhi Circle and park at new KTC bus stand. Buses coming from other routes will also be parked at the new KTC bus stand, Mapusa.Vehicles coming for the meeting will be parked in the open field next to the new KTC bus stand, open field opposite Bodgini and behind Bodgini Hall. Vehicles desiring to exit Mapusa city on reaching Gandhi Circle will be diverted to proceed to their respective destination via Parra-Canca.Motorists are requested not to park their vehicles on the route of VVIP, plan their journey well in advance and to co-operate with traffic police to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the visit.

Traffic arrangements for PM’s visit

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