Bikinis are allowed in Goa only because of Opinion Poll: Lobo

the goan I network | JANUARY 17, 2018, 07:53 PM IST


MAPUSA

Stressing on the significance of the Opinion Poll vis-à-vis the identity of Goa, Deputy Speaker and Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo on Tuesday said bikinis have come to stay on Goan beaches on account of the Opinion Poll.   

“Bikinis are allowed in our beaches only because of the Opinion Poll. It is not allowed in Maharashtra. Otherwise tourism would have flourished there,” Lobo said.   

Lobo was addressing a gathering on the occasion of the Opinion Poll celebration organized by the Calangute Panchayat.   

Former St Andre MLA, Teotonio Pereira who was the chief guest, RDA Minister, Jayesh Salgaonkar Calangute Sarpanch, Anthony Menezes and others were also present.   

Speaking further, Lobo said Opinion Poll helped Goa to retain its separate entity and the 40 MLAs in the assembly owe their position because of the historic day. “So far no government thought it fit to give importance to the historic event,” he added.   

Equating former chief minister, Dayanand Bandodkar and the then opposition leader, Dr Jack de Sequeira as leaders of high caliber, the deputy speaker pressed for installation of Dr Sequeira’s statue in the assembly.   

“Dayanand Bandodkar’s statue is in the old and new assembly. We need to install Dr Jack de Sequeira’s statue in the assembly too,” Lobo said.   

Recalling the days of the Opinion Poll, Teotonio Pereira said even sick people came out and voted on the historic day. “Opinion Poll gave us our identity. You may elect any government to power but one should not forget our history,” Pereira said.   

RDA Minister Salgoankar called for celebration of the Opinion Poll day as a special day in the State.  “We celebrate all days of national importance and festivals of all religions and regions but fail to celebrate a historic event as that of the Opinion Poll day,” Salgaonkar said.   

Exhorting the need to include the event in the school syllabus, he said the students should know about the State’s past history.   

Dr Jack de Sequeira’s daughter Lily Sequeira and her husband, Ajit Sequeira along with a host of other panchayat members of the coastal belt were also present for the function.   

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