Goa Legislators Discharged After Six-Day Hunger Strike, Announce State-Wide Protest
St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar and activist Tushar Gawas were discharged on Saturday from a private hospital in Panaji where they were recuperating following a six-day hunger strike. The duo had undertaken the protest to demand the removal of Section 39A from the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, a contentious provision they argue harms local interests.
Vow to Continue Fight Until Section 39A is Scrapped
Speaking to reporters after his discharge, Borkar declared that while he and Gawas are feeling much better physically, their political battle is far from over. "My anger, which I showed, is the anger of the people. If Section 39A is not scrapped, this anger will increase and I will take it across the state," Borkar stated emphatically.
He announced plans for a state-wide agitation to pressure the town and country planning department into eliminating the controversial section. "The anger is so high that everyone is demanding that 39A should be scrapped. And until 39A is scrapped, our fight will continue," he added, signaling an escalation in protest tactics.
Criticism of Government Priorities and Call for Accountability
In a pointed critique of the current administration, Borkar accused the government of neglecting local Goans while favoring outsiders. During an interview with a local TV channel, he contrasted the treatment received by different groups: "If a person comes from Delhi or another state, they are made comfortable, served refreshments, and their files are signed. I want to tell government and the other MLAs, we are first Goans and then party MLAs. Let's think about Goa."
Borkar urged citizens across Goa to hold their elected representatives accountable, specifically requesting that local MLAs prioritize statewide issues over partisan politics. This call to action underscores his belief that Section 39A affects communities throughout the region, not just his constituency.
Demand for Legislative Discussion and Political Ultimatum
The MLA revealed that he has received assurances from both Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Assembly Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar regarding a special discussion on Section 39A when the state legislative assembly reconvenes from March 6 onwards. "The speaker met me at Azad Maidan and said that he will give me time for a discussion on this issue. If they love Goa, then they will allow this discussion," Borkar recounted.
However, he issued a stark warning should these promises go unfulfilled: "If they don't fulfil their assurances, then people will teach them a lesson. The ball is in their court." This statement positions the upcoming assembly session as a critical test of the government's commitment to addressing public concerns over the TCP Act.
The discharge of Borkar and Gawas marks the end of their immediate physical protest but heralds the beginning of a broader political mobilization. With plans for state-wide agitation and a firm demand for legislative action, the controversy surrounding Section 39A of the TCP Act is poised to remain a focal point in Goa's political landscape in the coming weeks.
