Daijiworld Media Network (SR)

Panjim, May 12: Firmly standing by his decision on ‘weaponising’ the state’s youngsters to uphold the domicile provision for non administrative jobs, Goa Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai on Friday said “Let me tell you, I am saying this while being in the government and I am very clear that it is non-negotiable. We are a regionalistic party and we will come to streets if needed. By weaponising, I am referring to an ideology,”

The Goa Forward party chief Sardesai has been strongly opposing the state government’s order to dilute the 15-year Goan domicile provision for securing jobs in the state. The Goa Forward won three seats during the Assembly polls in 2017 and is an alliance partner in the BJP-led ruling coalition.

Vigorously opposing the Goa government’s new decision he said “The Goan identity is most important to our party and we cannot just watch the jobs going to outsiders,” he added.

In an interview to The Indian Express on Friday, he said, “When I was in a college union, I started protesting against this. It was very simple. The rules were: Konkani was essential language and Marathi was desirable while taking up jobs.

Reacting to his comments on Thursday, BJP minister Mauvin Godinho said that as a deputy CM, Sardesai “must refrain from such statements.