While the Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar had branded Casinos as a “social evil” and called them "dens of vice". While leading that agitation against Casinos, Manohar Parrikar had vowed to make sure that all Casinos were thrown out of Goa if the BJP came to power.
But in a dramatic U turn in March 2012 after coming to power Manohar Parrikar allowed yet another Casino the monstrous ‘M.V. Horseshoe’. The BJP in Goa has since fallen in love with the Casino brigade which is now getting the government’s total patronage and support. While the BJP is feasting and making merry with the abundant funds flowing from the Casinos, Goa has sadly become the country’s gambling hub with the allied vices of prostitution and the narcotics trade also flourishing by the day. On 10th October 2013 then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had finally assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that all the Casinos would be removed out of the River Mandovi by September 2015. With that date now fast approaching the Government has started through an advertisement released in all the news papers today a so called public consultation process to only fool the people. The Casinos are meant to be off shore and that is where they should be asked to relocate. Does the government have to be told the definition of off shore? While the BJP continues to milk the Casinos nothing will be done to relocate them. The people of Goa can read between the lines. The government should not underestimate the intelligence quotient of Goans who have been patiently enduring the manner in which the people are being taken for a ride. March 2017 is when the BJP will be shown its place for having betrayed on almost every issue the faith the people of Goa had reposed. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires