Want Parrikar’s footprints in Amethi to remain forever: Goa CM

AMETHI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday announced that he would continue the development and charitable works undertaken by his predecessor Manohar Parrikar in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
During his tenure as defence minister, Parrikar, who was elected as Rajya Sabha MP from UP, had adopted two Amethi villages — Baraulia in 2015 and Hariharpur in 2017.
His visits with cabinet colleague and 2014 contestant Smriti Irani got Amethi a host of skill development camps, schools, shoes, solar lights and development of ponds and park beautification from MPLAD funds.
In the recent Lok Sabha elections, Union minister Smriti Irani wrested power from Congress national president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.
“I came to Amethi for two reasons today. One I was part of Smriti Iraniji’s Lok Sabha campaign in 2014 and was involved with party member Surendra Singh in electioneering. I wanted to express solidarity with his bereaved family following his killing. Second, I want to tell people of Amethi that Parrikar ji’s good works will continue here forever,” Sawant told TOI.
“I told BJP workers here to suggest a project to be instituted in Parrikar’s name and Goa government will take care of it as a tribute to him,” he said.
Irani’s poll aide Singh lived in Baraulia and was killed by motorcycle borne men, two days after she pulled off the biggest upset of 2019 by unseating Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
Sawant said he would not demean Parrikar’s efforts by reacting to Congress general secretary (UP east in charge) Priyanka’s remarks last month during polls on his charitable efforts, but accused Rahul of making indecent attempt to politicise his visit to Parrikar in January.
“It was the saddest part of the incident when Rahul made certain comments (on Rafale deal) despite making a visit to inquire Parrikarji’s health. I still can’t stomach Rahul’s opportunism following that visit,” he said.
“By now Amethi knows, their MP is a doer. She was the same when she was Goa BJP in charge,” he said.
Sawant, who is an ayurvedic doctor by profession, said that he wishes to see a full-fledged ayurvedic hospital under Ayushman Bharat scheme in Amethi.
“Our North Goa MP Shripad Nayak is Union Ayush minister. And indeed, there is a lot of scope for that in Amethi. It will be pleasure to come as an ayurveda doctor and be part of that set up when its established,” he said.