Panaji: Minutes after getting embroiled in the controversy over his statement on the Indian Constitution, Congress’ South Goa candidate Viriato Fernandes on Monday said that he is ready to debate on what he spoke.
During a public meeting in South Goa on Monday, Viriato had commented that Indian Constitution was forced upon Goans after the liberation from Portuguese rule in the year 1961.
The Congress leader was referring to his meeting in 2019 with Rahul Gandhi over dual citizenship to the Goans who are Portuguese passport holders.
Viriato’s statement received widespread criticism with BJP including chief minister Pramod Sawant condemning his statement on Indian constitution.
Sawant on Monday had said that Congress must stop this reckless Bharat Todo politics immediately. The chief minister in the post on his X handle said Congress delayed Goa’s liberation by 14 years and now their candidate dares to undermine the Indian constitution.
Responding to the chief minister’s post, Viriato wrote on his X handle “Dear @goacm, Dont try to twist and turn selective words from my speech to get political mileage & spread venom. I am ready for an open Debate on what i spoke as well as issues of Destruction of Identity of Goa, Rise in Unemployment, Inflation, Crimes & Corruption under @BJP4India.”
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao too came in support of his party candidate. Alemao wrote on his X handle “@goacm @DrPramodPSawant’s @BJP4Goa Govt was formed with Murder of Constitution. @BJP4India which engineered Defections all across Country have no moral right to speak on Constitution. Lets speak on Crimes, Unemployment, Inflation, Corruption, Destruction of Goa by BJP in 10 yrs.”
