Shripad has failed to raise a single issue concerning Goa: Khalap
PANAJI: North Goa Congress candidate Ramakant Khalap challenged incumbent MLA Shripad Naik to a debate who had a better performance as an MP, and accused him of shunning a debate because of how little he has achieved over the last 25 years, he has been an MP.
Addressing a corner meeting in Bastora in the presence of local MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira, Khalap pointed out how he raised issues concerning Goa even during condolence motions in Parliament while the incumbent, he said, has failed to raise even a single issue of Goa in Parliament.
“Compare my 18 month tenure as MP and Minister and compare his 25 years. I don’t want to ridicule anyone, but he has failed to raise even a single issue concerning Goa in Parliament. This despite being an MP and also a Minister,” Khalap said.
He recalled his move to table the women’s reservation bill back in 1997. “Today the Prime Minister is claiming that he has brought about a women’s reservation bill that will bring 33% women to Parliament after 10-15 years. The Bill, it was pointed out by Kanimozhi, is nearly a copy of the Bill I had brought,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Adv Ferreira compared the present regime to Hitler’s rule of Germany pointing to parallels with how Hitler was obsessed with positive coverage in the media, with photo shoots and with control of the media. “He used to have a propaganda officer who would check who was doing what with coverage and those who didn’t comply would be sent to jail. The opposition was sent to jail. Police would come to the homes and check if people were turning on the radio to listen to his speeches,” Alvares said.
He also pointed out how Shripad, despite being a Union Minister, failed to bring any projects for Goa that would bring jobs or spending money except for MPLAD funds.
“MPLAD is only a limited amount of money that can bring small projects to the state. However, since he was a Minister of State for Defence, Tourism, Ports, Civil Aviation, AYUSH, what has he done for Goa,” Adv Carlos asked.
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