The simmering controversy over Nigerians and their alleged “illegal activities in Goa” took yet another turn on Monday with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson and MLA Kiran Kandolkar saying that Goans do not want Nigerians because of their "rough attitude" and “bad behaviour.”
Mr. Kandolkar also demanded an apology from former Chief Minister Ravi Naik who had demanded that Nigerians not be allowed to enter India.
"Obviously he should apologise. As a senior leader and a good politician, Ravi Naik should apologise....," Mr. Kandolkar said.
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Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in the city, Mr. Kandolkar, responding to another question, also sought to know why Mr. Naik did not impose such a ban when he was Home Minister in the previous Congress-led coalition government.
"Goans do not want Nigerians, because they riot, have a rough attitude and bad behaviour," he said.
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“We cannot support. We cannot speak about a particular community,” he said, disagreeing with the demand for ban.
"We know Nigerians are involved in anti-social activities here. We accept it. We have seen their behaviour and their activity we have heard, read it in the papers. But that doesn't mean I can make a statement seeking ban on them being a part of the government," Mr. Kandolkar said, adding that in a democracy it was incorrect to impose such a ban on specific communities or people, groups.