Mr. Sripad Naik, three time sitting BJP MP from North Goa and candidate for the April 12 Lok Sabha election on Saturday admitted that drug menace is a very serious issue in north Goa's coastal belt and promised to uproot the problem once and for all by getting Central agencies to probe it thoroughly if BJP came to power.
Addressing a press conference in the city after reviewing his on-going campaign in north Goa, Mr. Naik also admitted that "Dadagiri" by Russians in north coastal tourist belt, who had virtually formed "enclaves", inviting apprehension among locals would also be dealt with firmly by his party in the interest of the local people.
He also promised to deal with concerns like illegal land purchases by foreigners, which are already under scanner of Enforcement Directorate, and foreigners illegally doing businesses in coastal belt.
Mr. Naik ruled out any adverse effect of the recent Goa Church advisory on his prospects in north Goa saying there was no effect of that circular on Catholic voters or priests.
When asked how he dispels apprehensions among Catholic voters during his campaign in the light of the recent Church circular to people to vote for secular parties in the forthcoming election, Mr. Naik said
nowhere in that circular BJP had been named and as such he did not find any change in the response of the Catholic voters towards BJP. He said that the circular can be interpreted as against Congress, which
he believed was the real communal party.
"I continue to visit temples, Churches\Chapels and Mosques during my campaign and no clergy has asked any clarifications from me in the light of the circular. They, in fact, greet me and bless me very warmly," said Mr. Naik.
On the issue of dual airport controversy, Mr. Naik favoured proposed Mopa airport for Goa considering its growing future needs while reiterating that Dabolim airport will continue for civilian use.
However, he disagreed with the demand being made by some civil society groups that jurisdiction of Navy over Dabolim airport should end, stating that it should not be done considering the security concerns associated with it.
