Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said that in the recent past, some “outside political parties” have been arriving in Goa, with indications to damage the social fabric of the state and disturb the peace in the region.
“We don’t need outsiders for protection of Goan culture,” he added, appealing to Goans to remain alert and vote the Bharatiya Janata Party, which works towards protection of Goan culture and heritage, back to power.
The Chief Minister observed that in spite of Goa being under the colonial Portuguese rule for 450 years, Goans ensured that the tradition, solidarity and communal harmony of the region remained intact.
“Goans should continue with this spirit and refrain from giving place to those political parties in Goa, which are here to sow seeds of divisiveness,” he noted.
Sawant was speaking at a city function organised to present awards to the winners of the competitions held by the BJP on the occasion of the Ganesh Chaturthi.
Speaking further, the Chief Minister said that the government will launch a number of schemes in the near future so as to provide support to and protect talents of the local artistes.
He also said that the government has appointed 350 teachers in the field of art and culture, in various schools in the state, which has resulted in young students taking interest in arts like drawing, singing, music and so on.
Sawant also stated that various cultural institutions and individual artistes are taking advantage of the different government schemes.
State BJP president Sadanand Tanawade, speaking on the occasion, said that in the past the Padma awards were bestowed upon elite people who had connections in high places.
“However, today these awards are given to the real sons and daughters of the soil, and the hardworking people,” he maintained, adding that this clearly shows how the BJP is connected to the culture and traditions of the country.
Former Member of Parliament Narendra Sawaikar said that only BJP has and can protect the art, culture and traditions of the state, and should therefore be voted to power at the forthcoming state assembly elections.