PANAJI (GOA)

PWD minister Sudin Dhavalikar, on Wednesday, said that he is not in favour of installing a statue at the Goa state assembly complex, evoking a sharp reaction from GFP president, Vijai Sardesai.

“Whether to put a statue in the precincts of the assembly or not, is the decision which has to be taken by the Speaker and not the CM,” said Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that GFP president and TCP minister Vijai Sardesai had demanded for a statue of the Opinion Poll stalwart Jack Sequeira in the complex. Congress and other parties had supported his suggestion, even as BJP maintained silence.

“It has been decided by the government that there will be no new statue in the state assembly complex. We can have a garden of 2 lakh sqm where statues of these leaders can be erected along with a detailed inscription of their work. This way, tourists and visitors can learn about their history,” Dhavalikar said, adding that he has set up the Kranti Maidan at Ponda along similar lines.