Panaji: Goa Forward mentor and Independent MLA Vijai Sardessai on Tuesday alleged that the BJP in Goa has been conducting "surgical strikes on Goanness" for the last five years through their acts.
"BJP has been conducting surgical strikes on the Goanness through their policy decisions like not making 80 per cent employment compulsory for Goans in private industries and other similar decisions," he told a public meeting near Panaji.
At the meeting, he welcomed former Congress leader Vinod Palyekar into the Goa Forward party.
Sardessai alleged that the BJP has taken anti-Goan decision like declaring coconut as a grass and nationalisation of rivers.
"BJP which has been involved in the land grab has now busy in grabbing our waterways," he further alleged.
Sardessai, who is MLA from Fatorda constituency, claimed Goa Forward is all set to lead the State post 2017 Assembly elections.
"But in case people feel we still need time to rule, we are ready to sit in the Opposition. Even while doing that Goanness would be at our heart," he said.
