NT NETWORK
PANAJI
Stating that the Bharatiya Janata Party is presently enjoying 20 per cent pro-incumbency in Goa, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said that at this point of time almost 58 per cent of the people in the state are feeling that the BJP should return to power with its good governance motto.
Addressing the media at the city BJP headquarters, Parrikar brushed aside all speculations that the demonetisation would have an adverse impact on the prospects of the BJP at the state assembly election.
“If at all there is an impact of demonetisation in Goa then it is a positive impact,” he added, pointing out that a large number of branches of various banks in the state, as well as habit of many Goans to use monetary cards is responsible for the same.
“Goa is a touristic state and therefore, it already has around 5,000 to 6,000 cards swiping machines,” the Defence Minister added, pointing out that another 15,000 to 20,000 such machines are expected to arrive in Goa soon.
“In addition, all major government departments in Goa would go cashless as far as receipt of money is concerned,” Parrikar maintained, informing that however, it does not mean cash would disappear from Goa altogether.
“This would in turn result in control over use of large denomination currency in crime, black money and corruption” he noted.
Parrikar said that the work of short-listing the BJP candidates by party’s core committee for the 2017 state assembly polls is in progress, in a disciplined manner, based on the feedback received from the party workers.
“We would then forward the shortlisted names to the state election committee,” he added.
Replying to a question, Parrikar said the manifesto of the BJP for the assembly elections would give information about assurances, which existed in the 2012 state assembly polls manifesto, and which have been already fulfilled.
“The 2017 manifesto will also provide information about those assurances in the past, which are in the process of completion as well as those, which cannot be completed for some reason,” he added, pointing out that the new manifesto will further include many new assurances.