April 30th, 2015
GFDO PRESS STATEMENT GFDO is happy to know that Churchill Alemao is once again demonstrating his support to causes that are vital to the survival of Goa and Goans by convening a public meeting in Margao on May 1, 2015. Indeed there is no doubt that all the causes now being espoused by Churchill Alemao like illegal environmental clearance for Mopa, suffocation of our traditional and much loved tiatro, Medium of Instruction issue, and the doubling of water charges are all matters that expose the present government’s systematic attempts at stifling Goan voices, its stony unresponsiveness to the people’s needs and its total and complete inefficiency and misgovernance. The cause of saving Dabolim Airport is a longstanding one that needs to be urgently addressed since it will have serious repercussions for Goans in the shape of large scale environmental degradation, demographic imbalance, displacement of Goans not only by the proposed Airport but also for the six lane National Highway from Pernem to Canacona, which is a prerequisite for the proposed Mopa Airport, where Goan homes, heritage structures and small businesses will be demolished. This will lead to detrimental environmental and social re-engineering for our little state of Goa. However, it will recalled that it was precisely on the issue of ‘Dabolim Only’ that Churchill Alemao had founded the Save Goa Front, and was swept to victory by the people of Goa not so long ago. During the next five years, however, the Save Goa Front was merged with the Congress Party and there was a resounding silence from Churchill Alemao on the Airport issue that was so very important to him before the elections. Although Goans subsequently showed the door to the Congress Party for various reasons, it is unfortunate that since then, the political climate has been completely vitiated by the actions of the Parrikar and Parsekar led BJP government, leading to an atmosphere of suspicion, doubt and insecurity amongst the people. Since the impending elections are just around the corner in 2017, it would be prudent for Churchill Alemao to disconnect this public meeting on May 1st from his perceived political aspirations so that the people’s fears and doubts are laid to rest. As such GFDO thinks it is only right and proper for Churchill Alemao to publicly declare to the people at the meeting that he will not be contesting the 2017 Assembly elections, but will devote himself wholeheartedly to the causes that he has chosen to take up without any ulterior motive whatsoever. He should also ensure that he abides by his promise and does not take a U turn later on. Churchill Alemao also needs to explain to the people the exact role he played in pushing forward the cause of Dabolim Only when he was elected on the Save Goa Front ticket or when he was a cabinet minister and part of the Congress party subsequently. After all, Mr. Alemao will surely appreciate that all our Goan causes come first and the credibility of people associated with these issues, is sacred and must be maintained. For GOANS FOR DABOLIM ONLY Fr. Eremito Rebelo Convenor
