Panjim, Nov 14 (TIWN) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee is welcomed to contest the 2022 Assembly polls in the coastal state, but she should not bring the culture of post-poll violence.

Talking about Benerjee's announcement to contest the forthcoming polls in Goa, Sawant told IANS in an exclusive interview that what happened in West Bengal after the state Assembly polls held earlier this year is well known to everyone.  In Goa, elections are held peacefully and the culture of violence is not part of the coastal state, he said.  Also taking a dig at Arvind Kejriwal, Sawant said that the Delhi Chief Minister frequently visits Goa to escape the polluted environment of the national capital.  Sawant said that the BJP government in Goa is fully prepared for the February 2022 polls and claimed that despite facing a severe financial crunch due to the Covid pandemic, the party has not stopped any social welfare schemes but started additional ones to help the people.