Churchil has hidden agenda, accuses Faleiro Webindia123.com Panaji | March 02, 2006 4:45:22 PM IST
Accusing South Goa MP Churchil Alemao of having a "hidden agenda" for his opposition to the Mopa international airport, Goa Industries and Education Minister Luizinho Faleiro said the former's act was tantamont to party "indiscipline". Reacting to Mr Churchil's decision to organise "awareness campaigns" on the airport issue in different constituencies to the embarrasement of the respective Congress legislators, Mr Faleiro said such campaigns have no meaning since Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has appointed a six-member committee to study the issue. As a member of the committee, Mr Churchil should have discussed the issue in the meetings instead of in the open, Mr Faleiro said. Party president Sonia Gandhi, in her recent address to the party workers, had advised them to shun indiscipline, he pointed out. Mr Faleiro said the Central Committee was appointed at the instance of the delegation led by him to the Prime Minister. Asked why he had not favoured disciplinary action against Mr Churchil who is embroiled in the "cash-for-query" scam, he said, "Let no opposition party take advantage of the situation. It is for the party president to act." Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Francisco Sardinha said, "I am for retaining and strengthening the Dhabolim airport but not against the proposed Mopa airport." If the committee was in favour of the Mopa airport and assured its feasibility, there was no question of objecting to Goa having two airports, he said. "Showmanship on the issue of Dhaboloim airport does not work," he said adding he would also meet the people of his constituency to explain them about the need for Dhabolim. Mr Churchil has been demanding retention of Dhabolim airport, now under the control of the Indian Navy, and against the proposed international airport at Mopa in North Goa saying the latter would affect the interests of South Goa. He has also threatened to quit the party, if necessary, to agitate against the Mopa airport although he is one of the six members of the Central Committee, which includes Chief Minister as the chairman and two other Members of Parliament from Goa. According to sources, Churchil proposes to quit the Congress and join the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) in the wake of the stigma of the sting operation by a media group. ~(^^)~ Avelino
