Goa Forward Party withdraws from BJP-led National Democratic Alliance

In a major political development from Goa, Goa Forward Party (GFP) has officially withdrawn from the alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai wrote to Union Home Minster Amit Shah about the decision.

Sardesai in the letter to Amit Shah said that, 'There is no doubt that our relationship with the NDA ended in July 2019, with no room for reconsideration. So, consistent with our democratic commitments and the will of the people of Goa, we announce the termination of our participation in the NDA.”

Vijai Sardesai further added that, “Since July 2019, the state leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Goa has turned its back on the people of Goa who looked ahead with hope to the prospect of all-around development of our beloved state. The unfortunate demise of the Shri Manohar Parrikar brought Goa to despair, while ushering in a period of rampant corruption and dishonesty with the elevation of Shri Pramod Sawant as the 13th Chief Minister of Goa.'

THE GFP president accused BJP of being apathetic to unemployment situation in Goa and said, "Rising unemployment-with Goa ranked second in the country-brings anxiety and anguish to the Goan youth. In these dire circumstances aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the BJP government showed no interest or intent to support our youth or working families, and protect Goan livelihoods. Moreover, during the peak of the Pandemic, the nation saw how little the BJP government in Goa cared and how incompetent it was in tackling the rising cases, consistently flouting all norms and protocols under the illusion of 'generating income’.”

Sardesai alleged that BJP’s only mission in Goa is transportation of coal and handing it over to private company. He criticized BJP’s goal by calling it destructive and cited it as the reason for party’s withdrawal from the alliance.

“Over the past two years, Goans have been witness to the daylight destruction of our Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park which has been sold to industrialists who eagerly hope to make Goa a Coal Hub. Goa also saw the unforgivable negligence and shocking inaction of the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant over the diversion of our river Mhadei," said Vijai Sardesai.

Sardesai reiterated that, “The Goa Forward Party is fully committed as always to consistently and selflessly work to safeguard, protect and preserve Goa's culture, people, and heritage.”

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