Vijai Sardesai-led Goa Forward Party walked out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Tuesday, citing "anti-Goan policies" of the BJP-led state government.
Sardesai, in a formal letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, conveyed the party's decision to withdraw from the NDA. "I write to you today formally declaring the Goa Forward Party's withdrawal from the National Democratic Alliance. There is no doubt that our relationship with the NDA ended in July 2019, with no room for reconsideration," Sardesai said in the letter.
"So, consistent with our democratic commitments and the will of the people of Goa we announce the termination of our participation in the NDA,” the letter read.
Sardesai claimed that in the last two years, the BJP has repeatedly introduced "anti-Goan policies" in every session of the state legislative assembly.
Since July 2019, the BJP's Goa leadership has turned its back on the people of the state who looked ahead with hope to the prospect of all-round development, the GFP alleged.
The decision comes after GFP's state executive committee and political affairs committee met in Panaji on Tuesday.
The GFP pointed out the state government's alleged failure in handling various issues, such as three linear projects, the Mahadayi river water dispute, and other matters. In his letter, Sardesai also said the BJP government in the state failed to handle the COVID-19 crisis efficiently.
Sardesai, who was a cabinet minister in the previous BJP government led by late Manohar Parrikar, said, "During these two years, Goans have been reduced to mere bystanders in their own home state as he BJP repeatedly introduced anti-Goan policies in every session of our legislative assembly, aimed at bestowing benefits to a few and misery to many."
However, the move of the GFP, which has 3 MLAs in the 40-member Goa House, will not have any impact on the stability of the Pramod Sawant government in the state since the GFP party is not a ruling constituent.
—With PTI inputs
