Panjim, May 29 (HERALD): Dealing another blow to the demand for special status for Goa, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah on Thursday joined the group of leaders claiming special status is not possible for Goa.

“I have not said it is possible for Goa to get special status,” Shah said replying to a question that pointed out that his predecessor had said special status to Goa is not possible. “We have sympathy to all the states which are demanding special status and the government will form a policy for these states,” he said.

Earlier, Union AAYUSH minister and North Goa Member of Parliament Shripad Naik had said that the demand for special status to retain the identity of the land can be met with legislation made by the state government.

Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had also said it is difficult for Goa to be granted special status due to the legal framework.

The Bharatiya Janata Party in its March 2012 election manifesto had promised special status for Goa, whereas the Union Home ministry has said that special status for Goa is not justifiable and has hence not been agreed to.