Team Herald
PANJIM: Activists have slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesman Giriraj Vernekar for accusing them as extortionists and demanded that he should reveal their names or produce evidence to substantiate his claims.
Pai Vernekar on Thursday had said that the party is ready to listen to genuine activists but many have become extortionists in the guise of activism these days.
Reacting to Pai Vernekar’s statement, political commentator Trajano D’Mello said, “The public statement by the BJP's chief spokesperson, labelling activists as extortionists, clearly highlights the growing rift within the BJP legislature. This remark also serves as evidence of the Home Minister’s incompetence, who is also the CM. Pai Vernekar, by such a statement wants the CM to be changed.”
“In the past, ahead of 2012 Assembly elections, Pai Vernekar was also an activist and active office-bearer of Friends of Good Governance (FOGG). Was he as office-bearer of FOGG extracting from BJP? Or Rehabilitated by BJP.”
Activist Xencor Polgi said, “The BJP government is instigating activists to make statements by raising issues concerning the people. Pai Vernekar’s statement is nonsense. If he feels that activists are extortionists then he should file a police complaint. He is targeting activists to hide the government’s misdeeds. Former Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik had already exposed extortionists and Pai Vernekar should speak on it. It is only activists who are fighting with the people be it Bhutani project and land conversions in Goa.”
Activist Tanoj Adwalpalkar said, “Pai Vernekar is a responsible party member. He should either reveal the names of extortionists or speak with evidence. Perhaps he wants activists should speak what BJP government wants. The activists are doing exposing government’s misdeeds. Pai Vernekar should find out why medicines in GMC and Hospital are not tendered till date and he will get answers.”