Both Congress, BJP to be blamed for mining mess in Goa: Naik

PANAJI: The Socialist Party's Goa unit today blamed Congress and BJP equally for the iron ore mining mess in the state, triggering fears of economic breakdown.

Party's Goa chief Vinayak Naik told reporters today that neither Congress nor BJP did anything to stop rampant illegal mining in the state.

"Everybody tried to encash on the mining industry. Not a single MLA thought of handling the mining issue with iron fist," Naik said.

He said that mining lobby were controlling governments all this while and none from power dared to challenge them.

"There should have been restrictions on the mining which would have saved us from the mess that we are facing right now," he said referring to the worries of economic breakdown, if Iron Ore exports are banned.

The former MLA, however, claimed that Goa's first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar, who was a mine owner himself, was an exception in the political set up.

"He (Bandodkar) and his family never exploited the mining (sector) even when they were in power," Naik said.

He opined that black money and corruption issues in the state would cease on its own, if illegal mining is stopped.

Naik said that socialist party, which is being in the state of reinventing itself with the support of the present generation, has been getting support from like minded people.

He claimed that the party is in a position to form third front, either by fielding the candidates or supporting independents during the forthcoming Goa Legislative Assembly polls.