Until 39A is scrapped, our fight will continue: says Borkar after discharge from hospital

Panaji: St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar and Tushar Gawas, who were on a six-day hunger strike, were discharged on Saturday from a private hospital where they were recuperating. Borkar said he will continue his fight until Section 39A of the TCP Act is scrapped.

Borkar informed reporters that he and Gawas were feeling much better but were gearing up for a state-wide agitation to ensure that the town and country planning department removes Section 39A from the TCP Act.


“My anger, which I showed, is the anger of the people. If Section 39A is not scrapped, this anger will increase and I will take it across the state,” said Borkar. “The anger is so high that everyone is demanding that 39A should be scrapped. And until 39A is scrapped, our fight will continue.”

He also urged Goans to hold their local MLAs accountable and request that they take up issues that affect the whole state.

Speaking to a local TV channel, Borkar said that the current govt does not care about local Goans.

“If a person comes from Delhi or another state, they are made comfortable, served refreshments, and their files are signed. I want to tell govt and the other MLAs, we are first Goans and then party MLAs. Let’s think about Goa,” he said.

Borkar said that he expects chief minister Pramod Sawant and assembly speaker Ganesh Gaonkar to stand by their assurance that a special discussion on Section 39A will be permitted in the state legislative assembly when it meets from March 6 onwards.

“The speaker met me at Azad Maidan and said that he will give me time for a discussion on this issue. If they love Goa, then they will allow this discussion. If they don’t fulfil their assurances, then people will teach them a lesson. The ball is in their court,” said Borkar.