Panaji: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday ruled out the possibility of Goa getting a special status from the Centre.
"Special status from the Centre (for Goa) is like a mirage. I don't want to chase it. There is no possibility of getting special status," Parsekar told PTI on the occasion of Goa Statehood Day today.
The chief minister said though he would be happy to protect the land and identity of the state through special status, it is not happening.
"Time and again some people are raising this issue. I don't want to be the part of it," he said.
Parsekar's statement comes two days after BJP President Amit Shah during his recent visit to Goa ruled out special status category for the state.
Goa has been demanding a special status to protect its land and identity and it was declined by the Centre last year.
The Chief minister said there are no provisions within the local law that can protect the sale of land to outsiders.
"There are no provisions in the local law and we can't make amendments to make such provisions," he said.
On opposition Congress's demand for special status, Parsekar said it has come late from the party which was in power for several years in the state.
"Those people who are now raising demand for special status have sold the lands to non-Goans and made enough money. The only way to save land of Goa is to create awareness among people. The Goans sold their lands to non-Goans and there are some Goans who worked as a middleman to ensure that the deal is sealed," he said, without taking any names.
The BJP in its 2012 Assembly poll manifesto had promised special status for Goa.
But later the party's senior leaders, including Nitin Gadkari ruled out any possibility of Goa being granted special status.
