Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: In a heated exchange that has highlighted the deep divisions within Goa’s Opposition political landscape, AAP’s Benualim MLA Venzy Viegas and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai have engaged in a public spat.
The controversy began when Viegas drew a comparison between the current Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant, and Goa’s first Chief Minister, Bhausaheb Bandodkar, a move that Sardesai vehemently criticized.
Sardesai, in a social media post, labeled the comparison as “utterly amusing” and argued that while both leaders share a desire to undermine Goa’s unique identity, there are significant differences in their approaches to education.
He pointed out that Bandodkar was instrumental in establishing many schools, whereas Sawant has been involved in the closure of numerous government primary schools.
Sardesai noted that the number of government primary schools in Goa has dwindled from over 1000 to just over 600, with 57% of these schools now having fewer than five students. This, he claimed, reflects the BJP government’s myopic and indifferent attitude towards education.
Viegas retaliated by accusing Sardesai of having a “know-it-all attitude” and criticized his role in the BJP’s rise to power in 2017. Viegas alleged that Sardesai’s actions contributed to the downfall of Goa, leading to issues such as land scams, land conversions, and the shutdown of government schools. He suggested that Sardesai’s personal development agenda is more focused on self-promotion than on genuine improvements for Goa.
Viegas also criticized Sardesai’s tactics, particularly his use of the term “Zanvai” to defame the united opposition, which he believes is driven by a desire for power and control rather than a genuine concern for Goa’s well-being.
