AAP confronts BJP on mining, casino in Goa

The Aam Aadmi Party in Goa has confronted the BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi ahead of their rally here Jan 12, saying the party should ponder over the state's key issues.

In a statement issued here Thursday, the AAP said before the BJP's rally at Merces, a village on the outskirts of Panaji, Modi and the party's state unit should think on key issues which they have not been able to resolve even after two years in power.

The BJP-led coalition government's alleged patronisation of the state's casino industry, and shielding of those involved in illegal mining and real estate scandals are on the list of questions the AAP has confronted the BJP and Modi with.

The statement also pointed out the BJP's failure to appoint information commissioners as well as functional Lokayuktas and a string of foreign "study" trips.

"When the Goa government proposes to prohibit entry for Goans into casinos on the grounds that gambling is a vice, is it not anti-national for the BJP to encourage the rest of Indians to be addicted to casinos?" the statement said.

It asked Modi and the BJP to get a reality check on whether they consider casinos as a part of "Indian culture".

Questioning the government led by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the statement said why "haven't any proceedings been started to recover the Rs.35,000 crore looted from Goa as per the Shah Commission report (on mining scam)?"

It also asked why Goa's garbage issue has not been resolved despite "expensive foreign study tours and numerous assurances on the issue".