As the campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls reaches the fag end in Goa. Goemakrponn Editor Suraj Nandrekar speaks to BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade to find out about his party’s prospects and the opposition allegations.
Excerpts…
Goemkapronn: How is the campaigning going on for the BJP in Goa?
Sadanand Shet Tanavade: Well, the campaigning is going on very well. Yesterday, we had a public meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah and today is the second last day of canvassing as it ends at 5 pm tomorrow hence all karyakartas are on the ground. I went to Pernem in the morning then I came to Mayem. Everyone is busy, karyakatas are distributing cards and door-to-door campaigning is underway.
Goemkapronn: How much would be the impact of PM Modi and Amit Shah’s visit to Goa?
Tanavade: Well, these two are the biggest netas of the BJP and this election is being fought under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modiji and there is excitement all around not only Goa as people of India have decided to bring back the BJP government once again. As we campaign in Goa we feel the excitement of people to see that Narendra Modi becomes the Prime Minister again. People have spoken to us stating the national interest comes first and that is why they are with BJP and Narendrabhai Modiji. The public meeting had a great impact as people wanted to hear Modiji speak and this changed the atmosphere in BJP’s favour.
Goemkapronn: Do you think the issues taken by PM and HM were relevant to Goa? Do issues of Ram Mandir Hindu, and Muslim matter here?
Tanavade: I think, they never spoke about the religion. Ram Mandir is India’s national issue. You saw in January 2022 when Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha was done in Ayodhya the excitement was in the entire world and Goa was no different. They (leaders) never differentiated by caste and religion. What they did was sabka sath, sabka vikas and sabka vishwas.
We have worked for the betterment of the poor and the progress of the nation.
Goemkarponn: There are many issues nagging Goa like coal, double tracking, unemployment, and Mhadei but they have not been touched by BJP: Your view?
Tanavade: I see them like this if we are talking of Viksit Bharat, we will have to compromise on certain issues. About coal, it has not started today it has started in Congress tenure. If we have to move ahead to get better opportunities for business and economic growth we need to compromise somewhere. The only thing we have to do is keep them under control and a limit is being set for coal. Congress thinks that if they raise such issues people will stay with them. They tried everything they fought the ZP election on the same issue and, the assembly election on the same issue but to no avail. They do not want the Tamnar project but want 24×7 power. They do not want the doubling of the road but want traffic-free movement. They want more train but not double tracking does not work. People know that Congress is here only to raise these issues for personal benefit and hence people have lost trust in them.
Goemkarponn: CM has been saying that minority voters are with the BJP. What is your opinion?
Tanavade: We have to consider everyone is with us. BJP Is a secular party and believes in sab ka saath, sabka vikas. We have several minority MLAs in the BJP. It’s not that BJP is giving power connections to people of one religion and not others. Water, toilet everyone is getting. Government schemes are extended to each one of the states. We do not believe in communal politics. We have politicians of all religions.
Goemkarponn: Will Archbishop’s comment on “vote for secular party” have any effect on BJP?
Tanavade: No, not at all, he has said a vote for the secular party. BJP is secular. Narendrabhai Modi works for everyone. Show me one scheme which has been done only for Hindus. Whatever is done is done for every religion and caste. Today we are 5th largest economy in the world and will soon become third. Our youth are going abroad for work but soon they will all come back and work in our own country. People are going out of the country for weddings we are encouraging people to do it here so that the revenue stays here. Temples in Ayodhya and Ujjaina are generating employment for the people.
Goemkarponn: So you mean to say the temples are generating employment?
Tanavade: Yes definitely, it is giving business opportunities to locals. For example Ayodhya. Crores of people have visited there and this has generated revenue to everyone from hotels, restaurants, auto rickshaws etc. Even the MOpa airport you take, how many people have got employment here. There are direct and indirect benefits. Even for the exposition next year, we are investing so much this will benefit local businessmen.
Goemkarponn: Sir but the core issue of unemployment remain unresolved?
Tanavade: There is one pre-conceived notion amongst Goans that till he/ she gets a government job. A private job even if it is high-paying is not considered a job. Whichever party rules, can everyone be given a government job? The thinking has to change.
(Watch the full interview on Goemkarponn’s YouTube and Facebook channels)
