Divcholem: Goa Forward Party President and MLA Vijai Sardesai has hit back at allegations made against him by a Congress leader, refuting claims that he was involved in the conversion of 5 lakh square metres of land in Karapur. Speaking at a public meeting in Divcholem, Sardesai called the accusations baseless and politically motivated.
Clarifying the timeline, Sardesai stated that the application for land conversion was submitted in 2021, at a time when he was not a part of the cabinet, having stepped down in 2019. “I have nothing to do with the conversion. I have documentary proof and I challenge anyone to prove otherwise,” he asserted.
Sardesai also took aim at the BJP, alleging that the ruling party has been responsible for the majority of land conversions in Goa. “Why is the BJP silent? They are the ones who have facilitated the most land conversions in the state,” he said, urging the party to respond transparently.
Touching upon the sensitive issue of Comunidade land, Sardesai expressed concern over recent developments but refrained from going into detail. However, he made it clear that the sanctity of such lands must be preserved.
In a separate but related issue, Sardesai raised alarm over the recent recruitment of 39 non-Goans as postmen in the state, claiming that they are unfamiliar with local addresses, leading to undelivered mail. “Local Goan postmen are being removed while outsiders who don’t know the geography or language are being hired. This is unacceptable,” he said, vowing to raise the matter in the upcoming Assembly session.
Sardesai’s statements have added a fresh layer to the ongoing political discourse, as he positions himself as a vocal critic of both the BJP and Congress, while defending his own record.
