Honeymoon period is over, it’s time for real work: Vijai

Takes over as Goa Forward Party president; Renuka relieved rrrthe goan I networkrPANAJI rrAddressing media persons after Goa Forward executive committee meeting, senior leader Prashant Naik said, “We had appointed Dr Renuka D’Silva as the party president. Now, she has been appointed as Chairman of SGPDA and also due to her professional commitments she asked us to relieve her of the president’s post. The executive committee has agreed to her request and after deliberation, the committee resolved to appoint our party mentor and minister Vijai Sardesai as the President.” rSpeaking to media persons, Sardesai said, “Our government has completed four months and the honeymoon period is over. We have to perform now. We have done a positive compromise by joining to government. Now we have to show how this positive compromise will benefit Goans.” rStating the Goa Forward secured votes on its slogan Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn, Sardesai said, “Based on this slogan we became part of this government. So the party that has actually espoused this ideology. And in the interest of growth of this party I have taken this responsibility, although I have the responsibility of TCP and Agriculture portfolios.” r“I appeal to all those who fought for Goa’s issues and also those without political lineage having independent thoughts to join GF. Only if this happens, Goemkarponn will remain alive. We are not a party owned by a family. We are a family of people who are wedded to an ideology. We believe that a mix of ideology and credibility can get us more seats and we want to spread,” he appealed. rInforming that GF wants to reach out to the OBC community, he said, “We have given this responsibility to Vinoda Paliencar. He will work towards expansion of the party in OBC-dominated constituencies.” r“While we look at party’s growth, preferably our paths with those of alliance partners should not cross. It is in the interest of the alliance that this should not happen. But there are enough seats where alliance is not being represented which is an opening for parties like us to grow. We will actively start working after the session,” he said. rrr...Says new casino should rnot be allowed in Mandovi rrPANAJI: Stating that Goa Forward Party has strongly demanded removal of floating casinos from river Mandovi, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai opined that the new casino should not be allowed to anchor in the river. r“Goa Forward never had anti-casino per se agenda but we had strongly demanded removal of casinos from Mandovi. I am the only person who has been vocal about not allowing the new casino in Mandovi and I will push for blocking that casino,” he said. r“I am actually pushing for moving them on land. For this the Act needs to be amended. The casinos are polluting the river. Instead, we can make the river something like the Hong Kong harbour where laser shows are held,” he pointed out. rHe also stated that the State government cannot be irresponsible and remove the casinos, “I have never said that casinos should be shut down. Now if you shut them, it will have an overall effect. I have always been saying that there is a conspiracy to get it (6th casino) back. It is because of me that it has been blocked for rso long.”