BJP backs out from
anti-tourist drive
PTI, Panaji
23 December 2007
Opposition BJP on Wednesday decided to stay away from agitation
plans against creation of special economic zones, till December
31 and not disturb the tourists visiting Goa, as the new year
rings in.
“BJP will not adopt any agitation before December 31
as we don’t want to disturb the New Year celebrations
in the state,” leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar
said this evening. BJP’s office bearers, who met this
evening, decided to defer their anti-SEZ agitation till New
Year.
Parrikar earlier in the morning had told the media that the
BJP would strongly stand behind Matanhy Saldhan, convenor
of the Goa Movement Towards SEZ, to whisk away tourists after
28 December.
Mr Saldanha had requested the tourists to leave the state
by December 28 as the agitation may turn ugly thereafter.
The tourism industry had feared there would be large scale
reduction in tourist arrivals following this ‘request’.
“Our opposition to SEZ continues but we will chalk out
further course of action only on January 1, when we meet again,”
Mr Parrikar said. He stated that the BJP does not intend to
disrupt any New Year celebrations and wants tourists to enjoy
their stay here.
“Tourists can even write to the government asking for
the cancellation of sezs in the state,” the former chief
minister said. Toning down his earlier stand of asking the
tourists to cooperate with the agitators, Mr parrikar said
the anti-SEZ agitation for next four days can be chalked out
through peaceful means. “Opposition to SEZs doesn’t
mean that tourists should be disturbed,” he said.
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