Goa Congress to ban all casinos in coastal state; BJP mocks manifesto

Panaji: The Congress party on Monday released it's manifesto for the upcoming Goa polls in which it has assured banning all the casinos in the coastal state including the floating vessels mounted with gambling dens. "Floating casinos in Goa's river will be closed permanently," reads the manifesto of Congress that was released on Monday by Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia in Panaji. "Those on the shore too will be closed at a later stage," Goa Congress chief Luizinho Faleiro told reporters here in the presence of Scindia. He said in the first phase, offshore casinos which are currently in river Mandovi would be shut and in the second phase, onshore casinos would be banned. Responding to a question, Faleiro ruled out that such an action would affect employment prospects in the state. "I dont think that there are much Goans working at these casinos," he said. Goa has six offshore casino vessels besides around a dozen of onshore casinos operating in five star resorts. The party in its manifesto also opposed holding of Defence Expo in Goa. "Goa Pradesh Congress Committee strongly opposes holding defence expo in Goa or give permanent rights to the Defence Ministry to hold the land on lease or on ownership basis anywhere in the state," it reads. It has also assured investigations into all the permissions granted by Investment Promotion Board to set up industry here. "All permissions granted under Investment Promotion Act would be inquired as soon as the party comes to the power after elections," the manifesto reads. "We will declare an all out war on drugs and drug peddling in the state. The anti-narcotic cell will be upgraded and strengthened to take the fight to beaches and every corner of Goa," the Congress manifesto has said. In one of the prominent promise, Congress has assured free five litres of petrol per month for every college student having valid driving licence. The Congress party has also assured to restore mining immediately incorporating the entire recommendation of the Supreme Court. "The loan of one truck or tanker per family would be waived off," he said. Opposition's reaction: Mocking the Congress' manifesto which has assured to ban casinos, Tendulkar said they have promised sky to people as they (Congressmen) know they will not be coming to power. "Congress through its manifesto is giving false assurances. They were behind getting casinos to Goa. They were the father of illegal mining scam in the state," he alleged. "Those who don't want to come to power, they can keep on giving assurances. But in our case whatever is written in the manifesto, it would be completed," he stressed. The BJP leader said the party is getting good response during their campaign. "Initially when we began the campaign we had targeted 26 seats. But while we are in the midst of the campaigning, we see that there is increasing support for the party candidates. Also, the opposition camp is not intact, which is helping us in the election," he said. The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), which had severed ties with BJP just before the formal notification of the election, will not have an impact on BJP, Tendulkar said. "Our organisation is our strength. MGP chief (Dipak Dhavalikar) himself is contesting from Priol constituency.(Another leader) Sudin Dhavalikar might have impact but is only restricted to Madkai constituency. He alone cannot go around the state canvassing for his candidates," he said. "We have organisational strength. We have Mahila morcha, yuva morcha and other wings. MGP can't damage us," Tendulkar asserted.