Meeting of the Goa Forward State Executive Committee held at Panaji on 8th October, 2016
Review of Goa Forward Strategy for Elections 2017
As the custodians of Goa, Goemkar and Goemkarponn, Goa Forward has to lead the electoral battle to oust the present ruling BJP-MGP coalition government from power. The onus is on Goa Forward as the BJP government is anti-Goa and anti-Goemkar.
It is with this objective that Goa Forward was prepared to share power with the Congress party and was repeatedly and consistently putting forward the demand for alliance. Goa Forward is well aware about the past failures of the Congress party to protect land, environment and identity of Goa. However, Goa Forward being a new political front of Goans was showing political maturity to dethrone the ruling BJP as the party was facing elections in less than a year of its formation. Otherwise, there was no reason for Goa Forward to speak of alliance with the Congress party.
In the last nine months, Goa Forward has realised that the Congress party is making matters difficult for unity of opposition forces. Goa Forward cannot afford to waste any further time. Hence, due to the irresponsible response and unprofessional approach of the Congress party and based on the positive feedback of Goans to the vision and mission of Goa Forward, the election strategy was reviewed at the meeting of the State Executive of GF.
Considering that elections are almost round the corner and taking stock of the ground realities, it is decided to focus on not less than 25 constituencies for 2017 elections whilst the prospecting will continue in 30 constituencies.
Highlight key poll issues through Yatra
The State Executive decided that Goa Forward will move throughout Goa to sensitize people of Goa to the anti-Goa and anti-Goemkar policies of the BJP government and gather support to the Goa Forward movement for Goemkarponn led for Goa and by Goans.
The State Executive decided to make the following as poll issues:
1. Nationalisation of all waterways and rivers of Goa
2. Threats to Goa's land, environment and Cocoanut Tree
3. 80% job reservation for locals
4. Regional Plan and anti-Goan amendments to TCP Act
5. Threats to liberal and multi-cultural Goa
Mohandas Lolyekar
General Secretary