Much drama being made over my Nigerian remark: Goa CM

Panaji, June 2: A miffed Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Thursday said that much is being made about his comment on Nigerians and popular sentiment in the state being against them.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an education department function at the state secretariat, Parsekar said: "I had said that people in Goa welcome tourists who come here in a big number. But normally people have reservations against Nigerians because of the objectionable things they indulge in. I had only said that this is the general sentiment among people. But much drama is playing out over this statement over two-three days."

Earlier this week, Parsekar had attracted controversy when he said that Goans are "annoyed" with the behaviour, attitude and way of life of Nigerians living in the coastal state.

"The Goans in general are complaining about these foreigners or else we get people from all other countries, but in general the people of Goa are very much annoyed with their behaviour, with their attitude, with their way of life," he had said on May 31, while reacting to the alleged kidnap and rape of a 31-year-old woman by a Nigerian national, who has since been arrested.

IANS