Goa Congress leader Viriato Fernandes has caused controversy with his claim that the Indian Constitution was “forced” on Goa after its liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961. His comments faced condemnation from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who described them as appalling and accused the Congress party of posing a threat to democracy.
Fernandes, the Congress candidate for South Goa, cited a past conversation with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in which he stated that the Indian Constitution was imposed on Goa upon its liberation. Fernandes, who supports dual citizenship for Goans with Portuguese passports, recalled Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s statement that Goa would chart its course following its liberation. However, Fernandes argued that this promise was not kept.
Chief Minister Sawant criticized the Congress candidate and party, stating that their position undermined the Indian Constitution and national unity. He urged the party to end its divisive politics, calling it a threat to democracy.
Goa, which has two Lok Sabha seats, will hold elections on May 7 during the third phase of polling.
