Modi Is 'Rattled, Twisted My Speech': Goa Congress Candidate Disputes PM On Constitution Remarks

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Goa Congress candidate rebuts Viriato Fernandes PM Modi's claim that he said the Constitution is not applicable in Goa. Fernandes clarifies that his statement was misconstrued.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: In a rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertions, Captain Viriato Fernandes, a Congress candidate in Goa, on Tuesday expressed dismay over what he termed as a misinterpretation of his statements. Fernandes responded to PM Modi's remarks made during an election rally in Chhattisgarh, where Modi criticised Congress over Fernandes' alleged comment saying "Constitution is not applicable in Goa".

In a video, Fernandes stated, "He, like the chief minister of Goa, has twisted and turned certain positions of my speech and misinterpreted and today he has made a mention of that during his speech in Chhattisgarh, I want to tell the Pradhan Mantri that what about all the other issues that we have been asking the BJP all the issues that you have promised the people of Goa? Be it Unemployment, the coal hub, or the three linear projects by which you are turning Goa into a coal hub for the benefit of crony capitalist friends. I also want to ask him that NITI Aayog recently released a report where it declared Goa as having highest employment percentage. He should speak on that."

"He has to also speak on inflation. He has to speak on defections in Goa, eight MLAs defected from Congress and went into the BJP which was murder of the Constitution. The Pradhan Mantri need not teach us the Constitution he has murdered the Constitution. What about the claim by one of his tallest leaders and the cabinet minister in Delhi, Mr Hegde, who recently said that if they get a majority, they will amend the Constitution? He has to make a statement on law and order in Goa," the former Navy officer said.

He accused a BJP minister in Goa of being involved in gold smuggling, which he said is "crippling the economy." The South Goa candidate further questioned why the BJP "imported" a candidate from another constitution to the constituency, "the candidate is an industrialist is it because you have special love for crony capitalist friends?"

Fernandes further said he was ready for an open debate with PM Modi when he comes to Goa and emphasised his commitment to the Constitution of India, citing his background as a former Defence Personnel in the Indian Navy, honoured with the Vijay Star and Vijai Medal.

"Pradhan Mantri can choose the date time and place. I will be there, I will play the video of my speech which I made yesterday with the PM is trying to twist and turn... He can keep an army office advisor... You are challenging a soldier who has served for 26 years in the Indian Navy. When I entered the Indian Navy, I took both on the very constitution that you are trying to change," he said.

PM Modi's Swipe At Congress Over Constitution Remarks

The remarks come after Prime Minister Modi, addressing the rally in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district, accused the Congress of divisive politics and appeasement tactics. "Congress, which 'divides the country in the name of religion,' has been indulging in appeasement since day one after independence. Congress is not able to digest the participation of Dalits, Adivasis, and backward classes in power. Now the party has started a big game."

"Earlier a Congress MP from Karnataka said south India should be declared a separate country, now a Congress candidate from Goa said the Indian Constitution is not applicable in Goa," Modi said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

"He is saying the Constitution was forced on Goa. He has told this to 'shehzade' (apparently referring to Rahul Gandhi)...Isn't this an insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar? Isn't this an insult to the Constitution? Is this not tampering with the Constitution of India?" the prime minister asked.

Fernandes, stirred controversy by claiming that the Indian Constitution was forcibly imposed on Goa after its liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961. Addressing an election meeting in South Goa, Fernandes recalled a conversation with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating, "When Goa was liberated in the year 1961, the Indian Constitution was forced upon us", as quoted by PTI.

Fernandes, who was previously associated with the NGO 'Goencho Away,' recounted raising the issue of dual citizenship for Goans with Portuguese passports during a meeting with Gandhi. He asserted that their demand for dual citizenship was not considered due to its lack of constitutionality.

Goa CM Pramod Sawant hit out at the Congress over Fernandes's comments and remarked: "Their candidate dares to undermine the Indian Constitution. Congress must stop this reckless Bharat Todo [Break India] politics immediately. Congress is a threat to our democracy."

In response to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's criticism of his remarks, Fernandes took to social media platform X, stating, "Dear @goacm, Don't try to twist and turn selective words from my speech to get political mileage & spread venom. I am ready for an open Debate on what I spoke as well as issues of Destruction of Identity of Goa, Rise in Unemployment, Inflation, Crimes & Corruption under @BJP4India."