Mopa issue: spat between politicians continue NT News Service Margao March 5: The spat between politicians over the proposed airport at Mopa continued today when the South Goa Congress MP, Mr Churchill Alemao said that Mopa project had not been pushed by the Centre but was on the brink of happening due to certain Congress leaders.
During the meeting in Mr Luizinho Faleiro's constituency, Navelim, the South Goa MP stated that the Education Minister wrote a letter to the Centre and spoke about having two airports. "Mr Faleiro should demand the scrapping of Mopa," Mr Alemao demanded. The MP observed that both, Mr Faleiro and the Curtorim MLA, Mr Francisco Sardinha had committed several mistakes in the past and that an excellent opportunity was available to them in order to say that 'Mopa should go. We want Dabolim.' Explaining his difference with his party on the issue, Mr Alemao stated that the Congress had made it clear that it also wanted Mopa. "How can I share their platform. My demand is clear," he said. Naming former Union minister, Mr Ramakant Khalap and Pernem MLA, Mr Jitendra Deshprabhu for being behind the pro-Mopa lobby, Mr Alemao said, "These two are unsure of getting elected again and yet they convinced AICC president, Ms Sonia Gandhi not to announce a Rs 500-crore grant to the Dabolim project," he revealed. Mr Alemao disclosed that the duo stated that if Dabolim was to get the grant, then Congress would suffer during the next assembly polls. "I will get the party 12 seats from North Goa independently," the MP said in a challenging tone further adding if indicted in the sting operation issue, he would quit the party. Mr Alemao advised Mr Faleiro and Mr Sardinha to convince Mr Pratapsingh Rane to scrap the Mopa airport proposal. The UGDP vice-president, Mr Radharao Gracias in his fiery speech called the South Goa MP to quit the Congress and join a local party to deliver to the people. "He was (Mr Alemao) instrumental in toppling the previous government. Yet he has not been rewarded," Mr Gracias said in his call to the MP to leave the Congress. He opined that there was a need for a local/regional party and as Mr Alemao had a mass following, it would be an easy task. Mr Gracias felt that with the talk of two airports it seemed that the Mopa airport would be for the upper class while the Dabolim airport could be used for the lower class. "Likewise, Mr Faleiro is playing games. He could have joined our platform, but he did not," the UGDP leader said, alleging that the minister was just out to bluff people. ~(^^)~ Avelino
