Panaji, Mar 14 (IANS): Shripad Naik, the Union Minister of State for AYUSH and a four-time MP from the North Goa parliamentary seat, on Thursday formally began his campaign for the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Naik, 66, who first offered prayers at the Mahalsa Narayani temple in Mardol, said that only a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre would find a solution to the Supreme Court enforced ban on the state's mining sector.

"People are suffering due to closure of mining. The issue could not be solved as it involved the Supreme Court. Once we are voted to power, we will solve the issue on priority basis," Naik told the media here.

Mining was banned in Goa by the Supreme Court in March 2018.

Naik also said that he would be touring assembly constituecies for the next 20 days followed by meetings with the public and other appointments.

He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to address a campaign rally in the coastal state soon.