<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". ......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.> ----------------------
Nowhere in the report is there any reference to the "hidden agenda" which Churchill is accused of by Luizinho. The only hint of it might be in the allegation by Francisco about his concern for the "interests of south Goa". What Francisco himself overlooks is how the "feasibility" of Mopa can be achieved without taking into account the working of Dabolim and the consequent right-sizing of Mopa in this connection. These form the crux of the whole matter and nobody seems willing to address them.
