We won't mix up MoI with RS elecltion: NCP
PTI, PANAJI | 02 July 2011 17:52 IST
NCP Goa observer Bharati Chavan
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today said that its opposition to Goa government's new Medium of Instruction policy would not have any bearing on party's stand regarding coming Rajya Sabha election.
NCP''s Goa desk in-charge, Bharati Chawan, told reporters here that the party''s stand on Rajya Sabha candidature would be decided after talking to the high command.
"It will be irrespective of Goa government''s policy on MOI. The coalition with Congress is based on larger issues, not only on MOI," Chawan said.
Rajya Sabha election for the lone seat from Goa is scheduled to be held in the last week of July.
NCP and Congress differ on the MOI. In May, Goa government passed a resolution making English one of the Mediums of Instruction (MOI), apart from Marathi and Konkani, in schools. The decision sparked off wide protests.
NCP, which shares power with Congress in the state, demanded that decision on MOI be taken only after consulting academicians.
Chawan today said that NCP leaders had met Chief Minister Digambar Kamat three days ago and asked him to reverse the decision. Kamat was non-committal, she claimed.
If the issue came up again before the cabinet, the NCP ministers would vote against the earlier decision, she said.
But as the NCP was not a majority partner in the government, it was difficult for it to force the government to reverse MOI decision, she added.
"Government should respect the public sentiment and revoke the decision," Chawan said.
What is the significance and importance of the stand taken by the NCP on MOI issue-if the elections to the RS are dealt on opportunist basis? Is the existence of NCP to only share the seats of power by entering into opportunistic alliances? Does the Party not have any ideological stand...? The common man is confused on the issue.......