Greeting Goans on 'Opinion Poll' day, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday thanked the political leaders of the 1960s who helped Goa become a separate state with a unique identity over a merger with the neighbouring state of Maharashtra.
"Thanks to our leaders, who were decisive and far-sighted; it is due to their hard work and perseverance, we could retain our unique identity. On this day, let us vow to keep our individuality, serenity and peace alive. Let us come together and make Goa more beautiful and serene," Parrikar said in his message to the people.
During the historic referendum known in Goa as 'Opinion Poll' on this day in January 1967, 54.20 per cent of the state's population voted for Goa being recognised as a separate territory, while 43.5 per cent had voted for merging the newly-liberated region with neighbouring Maharashtra.
The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party had backed the merger, while United Goans, led by late Jack Sequeira had batted for Goa being recognised as an independent region in the Indian Union.
Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961 and was formally granted statehood in 1987 after years of being governed as a Union Territory.
In a statement issued here, the Congress thanked then Prime Minister, the late Indira Gandhi for her decision to conduct the referendum.
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"The Congress party in Goa is in the debt of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who has given us the Opinion Poll by passing the Opinion Poll Act in Parliament which was a historic legislation," a party spokeperson said here.
--IANS
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