Panaji: After marching to the private residence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar seeking his resignation two days ago, an initiative of like-minded citizens has decided to hold statewide protest pressing for their demand.
Social Activist Aires Rodrigues who led the “People’s march for Restoration of Governance in Goa” told reporters in Panaji on Friday that the like-minded citizens will be holding Public Meeting at Azad Maidan in the capital city to press for the resignation of the CM.
“The Public meeting would be presided over by renowned Cardiologist Dr Francis Colaco. The NGOs and like minded citizen will join the meeting which will discuss the future course of action,” said Rodrigues.
National RTI award winner Rajan Ghate has begun his hunger strike demanding resignation of Parrikar. The hunger strike has entered eigth day on Friday.
Rodrigues recalled that the people had marched to the private residence of CM on November 21 after which 48 hours ultimatum was given to the CM.
“The ultimatum expired yesterday and now we have decided to take the agitation across the State,” he said.
The Opposition parties including Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP had supported the protest march.
“It is time to hit the streets. This agitation to restore governance in the state of Goa will be spread over all the 12 talukas,” Rodrigues said.
“ We can assure people of Goa, before coming of December 19, Goa will be once against liberated from Parrikar,” he said recalling that the State was liberated from Portuguese rule on the same day in the year 1961.
“The agitation will be peaceful. We will make sure that there is least inconvenience to the members of the public,” he said.
Rodrigues claimed that the citizens’ initiative has received assurance from some of the ministers that they will take part in our agitation. “I have been assured by some BJP mlas also that they will be part of the agitation,” he added.