Panaji: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that he was expecting that the Ponda Assembly by-poll would be held “unopposed” as a tribute to the great leader like late Ravi Naik.
Addressing a public meeting in Ponda in presence of Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant, BJP Goa chief Damodar Naik and others, Fadnavis said that considering the work done by late Ravi Naik for the tenants, farmers and his work in the field of education, he had expected that the opposition would take a decision to allow this election to go unopposed.
“In a way, they too would have paid tribute to Ravi Naik. But unfortunately, they did not think along those lines,” he said.
The Maharashtra chief minister said that the next General election is scheduled just eight months later.
“It is true that this one seat does not bring any significant political change here, nor does it have any impact on the government,” he commented.
Fadnavis said that in such a situation, in a state like Goa, we expected a more cultured and dignified approach, but unfortunately, that expectation was not fulfilled.
“However, I am confident that even if the opposition has not met this expectation, the people of Ponda will fulfill it. On April 9, the vote will not go in vain — the people of Ponda will ensure Ravi Naik’s victory,” he said.
Referring to the development executed by BJP governments in Goa, Fadnavis said that the schemes initiated by late Manohar Parrikar brought in transformation in the lives of the common people.
It was were further strengthened by Dr. Pramod Sawant, who also worked towards expanding them, he added.
Fadnavis said that Goa is turning into an educational hub.
“One thing must be understood, gone are the times when capital alone was important. Today, capital or money is not the most important factor but human resources are,” he said.
“Skilled and educated manpower is what truly matters. That is why trade, industry, and employment naturally come to places that are education hubs,” he said.
Referring to the world economic forum summit at Davos, Fadnavis said “In Davos, only two states were widely discussed — Maharashtra and Goa.”
“You brought in investments worth Rs 8,000 crore there. Across Davos, people were discussing how such a small state like Goa could attract such large investments,” he said.
“I told them that it is because investors have confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Government of Goa, and Narendra Modi ji, that such significant investments are coming in,” he added.
The elections in Ponda Assembly constituency is necessitated after the demise of then Agriculture minister Ravi Naik.
