Goa cannot have prohibition because drinking is part of Goa's culture, said Dr. Wilfre Mesquita, vice president and

spokesperson of the BJP's Goa unit, at Panaji on Friday.

"Prohibition cannot come to Goa because drinking is part of Goa’s culture. People drink for receptions, weddings and parties,” argued Dr. Mesquita when asked if Goa should go the Kerala way and prohibit alcohol.

He explained that alcohol was a liberal accompaniment to weddings and other social occasions in Goa in reply to a question at a press conference at the BJP office in the city. BJP Goa president Vinay Tendulakar was also present.

Taking on Congress Rajya Sabha MP for the former’s public statement that BJP government’s ban on rightwing Hindu outfit Sri Ram Sene under Section 144 IPC was just to fool the people, Dr. Mesquita asked why the Congress which was in power at the Centre till recently and is also in power in Karnataka did not ban Sene permanently for all its activities by invoking provisions of ban under Central Act.

When pointed out that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar during the State Assembly session which ended on Thursday had repeatedly criticised media on the floor of the House, and asked if the BJP party shares his sentiments that media credibility is on the low, Dr. Mesquita said that Chief Minister never criticised all media but some newspapers for wrong reporting or deliberately misleading people.