Panaji, Nov 7 (TOI): Tacitly comparing the NDA government's rule in the country to the spread of Nazism and Antonio de Oliveira Salazar's dictatorship, Goa pradesh congress committee president Luizinho Faleiro urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop the culture of intolerance and rein in members of his government. "Without freedom and peace there can't be development. There is a systematic policy of divisive politics based on the bedrock of vendetta. It is alarming that the government is silent, the prime minister is silent." Faleiro said
Faleiro is the latest to join artists, scientists and historians across India in expressing alarm at the series of violent attacks on intellectuals and minorities across the country. The issue has also sparked fears among financial analysts and found resonance internationally. "Ever since the BJP came to power we are witnessing increasing assaults on the secular tenets and fabric of our democracy," Faleiro said.

The state Congress unit intends to hold a public meeting on November 14 at Lohia Maidan, Margao, to ask Goans to stand up against intolerance.

Faleiro refused to accept that special status was not achievable. "It is not too late to get special status. We are ready to support the BJP and we, the opposition, will consolidate and support the government of the day at the state and at the Centre on the issue of special status," he said.

The party also stated that it would opt for fresh faces in at least half the constituencies in the state in the 2017 elections. "It is the people's aspiration to have new people, clean faces. We don't want family raj," Faleiro said.