Goa mining: Several ministers, politicians to support GMPF's Delhi protest
Several ministers and politicians from Goa are expected to visit New Delhi to offer support to Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF), who is scheduled to begin a three-day protest tomorrow to press for the resumption of mining in the state. Mining in Goa came to a standstill this March after the Supreme Court quashed 88 leases and banned the extraction of fresh ore.
Three GFP ministers will join agitators on December 11
The Goa Mining People's Front, an umbrella body of mining dependents, is scheduled to hold a protest between December 11-13 in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan and Jantar Mantar. GMPF president Puti Gaonkar today said all three state ministers of the Goa Forward Party (GFP), comprising Vijai Sardesai (Agriculture), Vinod Palyekar (Fisheries) and Jayesh Salgaonkar (Housing), would be visiting agitators on December 11 in the afternoon.
AICC, AAP and Shiv Sena leaders will also meet protesters
The GMPF President later added that Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut is expected to visit the protesters on December 13 in the afternoon. Gaonkar informed that All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary A Chellakumar, Goa Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, former Goa CM Digambar Kamat and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa convener Elvis Gomes would also be meeting the protesters.
BJP leaders also assured to meet protesters in Delhi: Gaonkar
The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party leaders led by its president Dipak Dhavalikar would be camping in Delhi for three days, Gaonkar said. BJP MPs Shripad Naik (Union AYUSH Minister), Narendra Sawaikar and Vinay Tendulkar have also assured to meet the protesters in Delhi, Gaonkar said.
