BENAULIM: Captain Viriato Fernandes, the INDIA Bloc candidate for South Goa, accused the BJP at the State and the Centre of aiming to destroy Goa, as he garnered significant support at corner meetings in the Benaulim constituency on Thursday.
Numerous corner meetings were convened in the Benaulim constituency, organised by AAP MLA Venzy Viegas and the Congress party, drawing support from various sectors including taxi drivers and the fishing community.
Viriato assured the people of his commitment to championing Goa's issues in the parliament.
"They labelled me as anti-national for speaking on special status for Goa. Ironically, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had promised Goa special status but failed to deliver. Now he is trying to divert public attention," Viriato said.
"To safeguard Goa's land and heritage, dual citizenship is imperative. Goans seek employment abroad due to the lack of opportunities here," he said.
The Modi government has reneged on its job promises, favouring capitalists," he alleged.
He also spoke on issues such as rail double tracking and the SagarMala port project.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Venzy Viegas, appealed the people to unite under the INDIA Bloc to protect Goa.
"Before heading to the polling booth, every individual must ponder the hardships caused by the BJP government's flawed policies both at the Centre and State. Goans grapple with issues like CRZ regulations, among others," he said
He remarked that the BJP is already “feeling the heat” as Captain Viriato will be the voice of Goa in the parliament.
On Thursday, Viriato also held a corner meeting at Housing Board, Gogol, and visited the traders and vendors at Assolna market.
South Goa civil society presents ‘INDIA’ with charter of demands
50 NGOs and civil society groups meet Viriato in Cortalim
CORTALIM: Captain Viriato Fernandes, the South Goa Lok Sabha candidate for the Congress and INDIA Bloc, engaged with over 50 NGOs and civil society groups in a significant campaign event. These organisations convened at a meeting hosted by Goencho Ekvott (GE) in Cortalim, voicing their urgent concerns on a range of pressing issues.
The representatives presented Fernandes with a comprehensive charter of demands, including calls to safeguard coastal communities, mitigate climate change, regulate industrialisation, and uphold the interests of traditional livelihoods amid rapid urbanisation. A common thread was the public's demand for the government to prioritise sustainable development while ensuring the welfare of local populations.
The interactive session was moderated by GE Joint Secretary Olencio Simoes.
Among the speakers, Sarita Fernandes, representing the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF), emphasised the need to protect the houses of indigenous people along the coastal belt similar to the protection of forest dwellers' rights by an act of parliament. She also stressed the necessity of enacting laws to safeguard the environment from rapid, unplanned industrialisation, fearing its contribution to global warming and the planet's collapse.
GE Convenor Creson Antao presented six demands to Fernandes, including opposition to the double-tracking project; Mormugao Port's expansion for a coal hub; the creation of a satellite port in Betul; and concerns regarding National Highway 4A, among other issues. Antao highlighted the Goa government's aggressive pursuit of the Tamnar Power project despite its proposal's rejection by the Karnataka government within its land jurisdiction to protect forests.
Judith Almeida, representing the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCF), emphasised the need to protect the rights of all indigenous communities traditionally dependent on land resources.
Social activist Anthony D'Silva appealed to Fernandes to address the demolition of illegal structures in the heritage zone of Old Goa and advocated for the continuation of operations at the Goa International Airport in Dabolim for the benefit of local communities and tourists.
Jack Mascarenhas, representing the NGO Goenche Fudle Pidge Khatir (GFPK), urged Fernandes to enact or enforce land laws to help local communities retain possession of their inherited properties.
Ex-Environment Minister Alina Saldanha raised various issues, including road safety, demanding the banning of heavy vehicular traffic during peak hours.
Velsao panch Francisco Braganza handed over a memorandum on behalf of Goyche Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE), demanding the regularisation of houses belonging to traditional toddy tappers, fishermen, and farmers within the CRZ areas.
Fernandes welcomed the support and promised to thoroughly research each issue to ensure adequate laws are enacted to protect the environment and ensure a better quality of life for citizens of Goa and the entire country.
Speaking to the media, Fernandes said this was the cry of the people and he was certain to make sure their voices were heard, unlike MLAs who changed sides and supported the BJP after the State elections.