PANAJI: Stating that the propaganda of social welfare schemes introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party government during the poll campaign of the party for the forthcoming state assembly elections cannot be considered as violation of election code of conduct, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Monday said that it is the right of every political party in power to flaunt its government’s schemes whenever it approaches the people for votes during the polls, and his party is only asking for a positive mandate.
“However, if the government introduces new schemes or sanctions letters to the people as beneficiaries of these schemes during the election code of conduct then it is definitely violation of the code,” the Chief Minister observed while addressing a press conference at the city BJP headquarters, further stating that the government employees will receive their (enhanced) salaries on January 31 as per the recommendations of the VIIth Pay Commission, and cast their votes on February 4.
“Now, I can make this statement as it is a fact, which is linked to the government decision taken some three months back, when the election code of conduct was not in force,” he noted, observing, “You can say that we are luring the voters only if we are distributing money or liquor.”
The Chief Minister also retorted that those people who don’t have anything to project about their past government are the ones who have been complaining against BJP government’s schemes to the Election Commission.
“We have not violated… we are not luring anyone with the schemes. If someone is luring then action should be taken against them,” he mentioned.
The state election commission has issued a notice to the BJP for mentioning about the schemes of its government in its electoral campaign jingles.
Parsekar said the manifesto of his party will target the issue of unemployment in the state. He also predicted that as on today, his party is all set to win 21-plus seats. Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that he would not like to make any statement on the political observations made by the local Church as it is a religious institution.
“During the time of election, the observations made by the Church are interpreted and used as desired,” he noted.
Answering another question, Parsekar said that during past five years, the state BJP government, as promised, could not create 50,000 jobs, since the Investment Promotion Board was unable function for the first three years of the government. However, during the last two years, it created 25,000 jobs through 151 projects.
“A total of 99 of these projects pertain to industry, while 36 are hospitality projects, besides nine belonging to eco-tourism sector,” he maintained, revealing that promoters of 69 projects are native Goans, while 53 are Goa-based promoters.
Replying to yet another question, he said that he has not taken any offence to the recent statement of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari that a central leader of the party, who is not a Goan legislator could be brought here to hold the post of the chief minister if the BJP retains power in the state.
“Let the election take place, and then the members of the legislator wing will elect the chief minister,” he noted.