March 14, 2015 GFDO PRESS STATEMENT
For two years now, GFDO has been campaigning relentlessly for Dabolim Airport to be retained as Goa’s only airport, through expansion and upgradation of its infrastructure and facilities. But the core of GFDO’s campaign goes way beyond a centrally located airport. It is closely linked to protection of Goa’s scarce land resources and fragile ecology and environment that is under serious threat from vested real estate and business interests in collaboration with those we have elected to safeguard the state’s interests. In a democracy, an elected government must address the issues raised by concerned citizens regarding massive projects involving vast tracts of community resources. However, although GFDO has made numerous attempts to debate and dialogue with the BJP government for two years now, it has been met with stony silence. Elections are the time when citizens are called upon to send a clear and unambiguous message to their elected representatives. Even more so for a government that has for the first time in Goa unscrupulously and arbitrarily abandoned a longstanding tradition of independent local self government to impose Zilla Parishad elections on party lines, despite the vociferous opposition to it. GFDO appeals to the people of Goa to think back on the promises based upon which this government was elected. Casinos, Special Status, Regional Plan, State Information Commission, Lokayukta. How many of them have been fulfilled? We need to seriously introspect if Goa’s condition is really better today than it was three years ago? The spiralling crime graph, increasing crimes against women, the allegedly flourishing drug and prostitution culture that is degrading our youth and destroying our future, the culture of fear divisiveness and subtle intimidation and the Gujarat model that is surreptitiously being ushered into Goa, the denigration of all that we have held sacred over the years like Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa, the stoning of places of worship and ‘ghar wapsi’ that is proceeding unhindered aided by the government’s studied inaction. All these should provide much food for thought to Goans at the time of this ZP election. GFDO therefore, appeals to Goans to come out in large numbers and think deeply and clearly before casting their precious vote on Wednesday. This is an opportune moment for Goans to send a clear message to all their elected representatives – those who are part of the government and those ‘altar boys and altar girls’ who are supporting this government against the ethics, morals and culture of Goa and Goans. The BJP government has made this an election on party lines. Reject all candidates fielded by the government and its supporters, whether openly or covertly. Vote for independence in local self government this ZP elections. For GOANS FOR DABOLIM ONLY Fr. Eremito Rebelo Convenor
