Panaji: Hours after pleading Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resume mining activity through its letter posted/faxed/emailed from Goa, Congress party failed to make it to the candle light march organised by the people dependent on mining industry.
While the people dependent on mining industry walked with the candle in their hands in Ponda last night, none of the political party except Goa Forward Party stood by them. MGP was the last entrant for the march, whose leader arrived when the protestors culminated at Kranti Maidan.
Several hundred people under the banner of Goa Mining People’s Front participated in the march which started at Rajiv Kala Mandir and culminated at Kranti Maidan. The protestors silently walked on the road, peacefully.
Interestingly, Congress party which has been currently on the move with their Jana Gana Mana, Nomon Tuka Goemkara yatra failed to make their presence for the march.
Ironically, hours before the march, GPCC President Girish Chodankar had vowed to support the cause of mining through a petition written to the PM.
Ponda, where the march was held, is a constituency represented by Congress legislator Ravi Naik. Naik too abstained from attending the march.
GFP leaders Santosh Kumar Sawant and Durgadas Kamat were seen marching with the people while MGP leader Ketan Bhatikar arrived at the last minute. Bhatikar supported the cause with the claim that Sudin Dhavalikar will surely get some solution for the crisis.
GFP suggested that Ordinance be moved to solve the crisis.
