In the backdrop of Delhi-based leaders from rival political parties campaigning in Goa, Congress state chief Luizinho Faleiro has said his party does not need to impose non-Goan leaders on the electorate.
"Goa has got its own leaders in respect of political parties. Where is the question of imposing some high profile leaders in Goa?" Faleiro said.
He was responding to a question on the frequent visits of AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to Goa and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari's appointment as in-charge of the state.
He said Congress has got leaders in Goa with mass appeal.
"Everybody is a leader in Goa. We don't believe in imposing leaders from outside. We have to create at least 50 per cent new faces during the forthcoming elections," Faleiro said.
"We want leaders to be born in Goa and not brought from outside," he said.
The Congress leader said Goans are intelligent enough to decide what is good for them.
"Kejriwal is elected to take care of Delhi. There are Goans eligible to take care of development of Goa," he said.
Echoing similar views, Leader of Opposition Pratapsinh Rane said, "Leaders from outsidewill come to Goa and go, but it doesn't make any difference to the state electorate."
"We have seen during the opinion poll time. So many leaders from outside were coming to Goa asking for merger of the state with Maharashtra. But what happened. We remained independent," he said.
The former chief minister said people sympathise with Congress because they have seen the kind of development the party has done during its tenure.
"Goa is a developed state. The living standard of people here is high. Goans are educated and they will not get carried away by leaders from Delhi," he added.
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