Education hub, industrial development: Amit Shah's poll pitch in Goa

On his maiden trip to coastal state ahead of the upcoming Goa Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday appealed to youngsters in Goa to support BJP for their better future and said said BJP can guarantee a better future to the young people.

Addressing an indoor meeting with social media volunteers of BJP in Vaco, Shah said, "Goa will be converted into an educational hub in the next five years, the planning for which was done by former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar and his successor Pramod Sawant,"

Speaking about industrial growth, Shah said Goa is not a consumer state, and for this reason, the government has to think about the investment that will help in Goa's progress.

"That is the reason why we look at tourism as a potential sector," he said, adding that the tourist inflow will grow manifold after a second airport at Mopa will be commissioned.

He also recalled that two months ago foundation was laid in Goa for a Forensic Science University. "There are similar projects in the pipeline which are already sanctioned for Goa," Shah said.

Shah said that the Modi government's Startup scheme has been implemented in Goa and by 2025, more than 500 international-level startups would come up in the coastal state.

"When IT hub is created or sailors' university is created then you will have job opportunities in Goa. That is why, I say, you all will not have to go anywhere (any other political party) because if you support Congress, you will never know when Rahul baba will go on vacation and Goa government will destabilise," he said.

Shah said that the Union government is planning to develop the trade and industry which is suitable to Goa's environment.

"The BJP in the last ten years had taken up various works like construction of a new airport, modernisation of shipyard, maritime cluster etc. All these were done with the vision. Give us five more years, Goa's industrial development will pick up the pace with jet speed," he added.