BJP to form govt in Goa only if there is clear mandate

Panaji, Jun 1 (UNI) Former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today reiterated that he would not stake a claim to form the next government in the state if BJP does not get a clear mandate from the people.

Addressing a press conference here on the eve of polling, Mr Parrikar said he received tremendous support from the people during electioneering and appealed them to convert the support into votes on polling day (June 2).

''It is for the voters to decide. If you want to do something for the people of the State, it is not possible in a fractured verdict.

I will not ally with fringe groups to form government only to be blackmailed a year later,'' Mr Parrikar said.

According to him, his stand has gone down well with the people who are fed up of political unstability.

He said his party, if voted to power, will be the government of each and every Goan, including those who have not voted for him.

''The reason why my winning margin in my constituency Panaji is increasing is because I have not treated my voters differently,'' he said.

He rejected the Congress charge that BJP had brought in Rs ten crore to be distributed to voters on election eve. ''How can one distribute money on election eve. The BJP is not in power here.

There is not a single complaint with the Election Commission that BJP candidates distributed money here,'' he said.

Mr Parrikar criticised the 'personal slander campaign' run against him by 'Lokshakti' and charged State Power minister Digambar Kamat, who was previously with the BJP, with being behind the malicious advertisements. ''I will be dealing with this separately on personal level by approaching Press Council,'' he added.

He said he had urged the Election Commission to deploy para-millitary forces specially in the remote villages on the borders of the State to prevent movement of vehicles and check for use of money power. BJP has formed flying squads of about 200-300 workers to ensure there is no money flow, he said.

UNI