2 ministers, 4 MLAs attend anti-Mopa rally

ARVIND TENGSE, MADGAO | 15 May 2013 20:43 IST

Minister Avertano & MLAs Benjamin, Caitu, Reginald & Vijay at anti-Mopa rally

The anti-Mopa agitation proved to be a major blow to the BJP government as two ministers and four MLAs from Salcete and Mormugao talukas attended the 3000-strong rally held in Margao today evening.

Environment and Forest minister Alina Saldanha representing Cortalim and fisheries minister Avertano Furtado of Navelim were sitting in the front row of the rally.

Saldanha, who reached late, in fact was the only BJP MLA present at the rally.

The other four MLAs included Congress MLA Aleixo Reginald Lourenco, Caetan Silva of Goa Vikas Party and two independents – Benjamin Silva of Velim and Vijay Sardesai of Fatorda.

The other legislators from Salcete are Digambar Kamat of Congress from Margao, Rajan Naik of BJP from Cuncolim and Mickky Pacheco of GVP from Nuvem, who did not attend the rally.

In Mormugao taluka, other three MLAs who did not attend the rally are BJP MLAs Milind Naik of Mormugao and Carlos Almeida of Vasco as well as Congressman Mauvin Godinho of Dabolim.

Fr Eremito Rebello, convenor of Goans Only for Dabolim (GOD), also threw open challenge to three former chief ministers – Pratapsing Rane, Luizinho Faleiro and Francisco Sardinha – to explain why they did not oppose the monster called Mopa air port.

 

None of the politicians were either invited on the dais or allowed to speak.

After the rally, Alina, wife of late Matanhy Saldanha, told the media that she would convey the message of the rally to chief minister Manohar Parrikar.

Taking ahead Matanhy’s line, she said the Dabolim air port does not belong to the Navy but was captured by them illegally at the time of liberation.

Vijay Sardesai, in a lighter vain, said people would welcome if Parrikar does U turn on Mopa and scraps it.


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Previous Comments

The time has come rise and fall BJP Government in

Goa. Mr. Parrikar must take initiative role solving the

major task like Mopa and Beef problems solve.By doing

this he may save BJP government in Goa.BJP should not

wear the shoes what RSS and not even think RSS will

have power to meddle in Goa.otherwise BJP-RSS will

burns their hands.

.

- Domnick , Goa | 16 th May 2013 19:12

 

The movement is gaining strength day by day. It is not at all communal. More ministers/MLAs are likely to support this cause.

The people from Salcete and Mormugao have a lot to gain from the Dabolim airport and if, for any reason, it is closed, they will suffer a lot. Hence, they are concerned.

Central and state authorities should come out in the open and clarify what will be the status of Dabolim airport once the proposed Mopa airports functions in full swing.

Many politicians are interested in Mopa not because of development of Goa but because they have personal interest in that airport.

Let the authorities check how many politicians have bought properties in and around Mopa.

Our government should do what is good for Goa and Goans, in the long run.

No doubt some politicians who have lost in the last elections will try to shine and become popular by using this issue but then, it is politics and all those who are out of power do so.

I feel that Hon. Minister Alina should spell out her views on this issue more openly specially because her husband late Matanhy was for total civilian control of Dabolim.

- Francisco, Goa | 15 th May 2013 21:42

 

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