Protect Goan identity: UGDP 19 Apr 2009, 0610 hrs IST, TNN MARGAO: The United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) on Saturday made a passionate plea to the people to support the regional outfit in the Lok sabha elections with a view to safeguarding the interests of Goans and protecting the identity of the land. Addressing a public meeting at Lohia Maidan Margao, UGDP leaders accused the Congress-led government of working against the interests of Goans and urged the people to reject the Congress at the hustings.
Radharao Gracias, in his address, made a scathing attack on chief minister Digambar Kamat accusing him of indulging in vote bank politics to the detriment of the locals. "The chief minister's policy of appeasing the migrants to strengthen his vote-bank has resulted in a heavy influx of the migrant population in Margao. The locality around his residence at Margao is so populated with migrants which makes one wonder whether Kamat is the chief minister of Karnataka," Veigas said. Sympathising with PWD minister Churchill Alemao for being deceived by the Congress by the dishonour of the agreement that promised Valanka the party ticket, Gracias advised Alemao to quit the party for the "insult heaped on him." "Churchill is a leader of the masses in the true sense of the term. If the Congress can backstab its own leader, one can well imagine what will be the plight of the aam admi in a Congress-led government," Veigas stated. Party candidate Matanhy Saldanha in his speech, assured to make all-out efforts to secure special status for Goa under Article 371 of the constitution. "The special status for Goa will ensure that the land, culture and laws of our state are safeguarded," Matanhy said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/Protect-Goan-identity-UGDP/articl eshow/4419040.cms ~(^^)~ Avelino
