Margao: Goa Forward Party (GFP) on Monday stoked the issue of ‘identity politics’ ahead of crucial Opinion Poll Day celebration in the State on January 16.
Goa had witnessed historical opinion poll in which the people had voted against the merger of former Portuguese colony into neighbouring Maharashtra.
GFP President and State Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai said that the political parties even those at national level should respect regional aspirations and identity politics.
Sardesai also equated the current struggle by mining dependents to resume the industry as a part of ‘regional aspiration’ which should be met by BJP in the centre.
The people dependent on mining has been demanding amendment to the existing laws which will give new lease of life to the Iron Ore extraction industry which has been stopped due to Supreme Court verdict since last year.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi says ek bharat, shreshta bharat. His statement is with regional aspirations in mind. If any party is not able to meet regional aspirations then we will not be able to get support of the people,” he said.
“Even the PM says so. So what is regional aspirations? Mining is the backbone of economy. It should start,” the minister added.
Sardesai said that on the eve of opinion poll day celebrations, we need that the heroes who have maintained our identity should be recognized.
“If they are not recognized, people will not be with you. We (GFP) speak about identity politics. Goa retained its Goemkarponn (Goanness) due to Opinion Poll. If we had not to win that (Opinion poll), then we would have been just one taluka of Maharashtra,” he said.
“If we don’t accept it and don’t recognize in the history, then people will not be happy with you,” he said.
