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In Kuwait on 13th October 2006 at the Hawalli A.C. Auditorium. For details,
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
: The crowd listens to South Goa MP, Mr Churchill Alemao, at the convention in
Margao on Saturday.Dinesh Sakhalkar (courtesy: www.navhindtimes.com)
Churchill to take appropriate steps unless party performance improves
NT News Service
Margao, Sept 23: The South Goa MP, Mr Churchill Alemao today said that he was
not against the Congress party but felt that remedial measures were needed to
improve the partys position. However, he said that if the party position does
not improve in the state and the workers grievances are not addressed then he
would take appropriate steps.
Mr Alemao, while addressing the South Goa Congress workers convention, here,
alleged that the leaders had neglected the party workers. He said that if the
aspirations of the people of Goa are not taken care of by the government then
he would have to find a solution to the peoples problems. Mr Alemao also
claimed that the party workers were losing faith in the ministers whom they had
elected as they were not responding to the public and workers demands.
The South Goa MP said that he had called the convention to dispel the fears
of the Congress workers. Blaming the party leaders and ministers for the
present situation of the party, Mr Alemao claimed that the party was losing
support amongst the electorate due to certain factors which need to be
identified.
He said that if the partys position does not improve further then he will
take appropriate steps after taking the party workers and people into
confidence. Mr Alemao asked the party to encourage new faces, which would care
for the people and safeguard Goans interests.
He said that his first priority is scrapping of the Mopa airport as it will
affects the people. Mr Alemao also called for discussing the adverse effects of
the proposed six-lane expressway and asked the party to resolve the demand for
recognition of Konkani in Roman script.
The South Goa MP said that during his visits he had received complaints from
party workers that they had been neglected. He said that he was unhappy with
the present government in the state as his promises could not be kept due to
non-cooperation from the Congress party.
The other speakers who spoke at the convention charged party leaders,
ministers and MLAs of having failed to give justice to the people and demanded
that they quit their positions as they had failed to keep the promises that
they had made.
They lamented that ministers from Salcete had turned silent on major problems
facing people and this had made the party workers unhappy with the performance
of the ministers. The speakers also demanded that the party leaders settle all
important issues affecting the people before the elections or threatened to
teach a lesson at the next elections.
Some of the workers who addressed the convention hinted that even if Mr
Alemao left the Congress party, they would support him.
The convention presided over by Mr Alemao was addressed by Mr Mike Mehta,
Messrs Tara Kerker, Farral Furtado, Ulhas Buyao, A Fernandes, Mahesh
Kudchadker, P Dourado, Dr Wilfred Misquita, Ghanshyam Shirodker and others.
Some Youth Congress activists, sarpanchas, panchayat members, artistes,
advocates, teachers, social workers, former MLAs, bussinessmen and others
attended the convention. No minister was present for the meeting.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=09248
Related Links:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/10678
Churchill to go ahead with convention today
NT News Service
Margao, Sept 22: The South Goa MP, Mr Churchill Alemao today said that he
would go ahead with convention of Congress workers, called by him, from South
Goa tomorrow here.
He claimed that the convention was aimed at strengthening the base of the
Congress party. Mr Alemao said that he was in the process of finding out the
remedial measures to improve the partys position and its prospects in Goa,
since it was losing its ground in South Goa.
He said that the party workers have lost their identity and are frustrated
with the party organisation and charged the some state ministers for taking
wrong steps and ignoring the demands of the public.
The South Goa MP also claimed that thousands of the party workers will attend
his convention and said that party ministers and others were welcome to attend
the convention and answer the queries raised by the general public. He further
claimed that Congress leadership was in know of what he was doing to protect
the party interest. He also said that false propaganda has been going on
against him, adding that he was not concerned about it.
Mr Alemao said that he was capable of facing anyone and that no one could
damage his reputation, adding that the people knew his contribution to the
state and his fight for justice.
OUR STAFF REPORTER ADDS: A large number of Congress leaders from either
districts of the state have said that they would not attend the convention
called by Mr Churchill Alemao, tomorrow. The Congress leaders said that since
the party leadership has not officially called the convention they would not
like to be associated with it. They also said that certain issues that Mr
Alemao was seeking to raise at the convention were against the party policy.
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president, Mr Ravi Naik said that it was
not a party convention. Replying to a question whether he would attend the
meeting, he said that he had not been invited for it.
A number of Congress leaders also said that it was time that the party
leadership took action against the South Goa MP for bringing bad name to the
party by criticising its own government and issuing threats to it.
-------------
Should Churchill Alemao take on the Congress-led government by calling a
convention of party workers in South Goa? Your vote was recorded.
Goa Yes, he should expose Congress
65% (146 votes)
No, Congress should penalise him
31% (69 votes)
Can't Say
4% (9 votes)
Total votes: 224
(A poll conducted online by www.oheraldo.in)
http://oheraldo.in/node/18830?PHPSESSID=c6964e58b95a6e241275cf25ae8fff8e
Will South Goa MP Churchill Alemao quit the Congress if the Government goes
ahead with the Mopa airport or is it a wild threat? Your vote was recorded.
Goa Yes
46% (62 votes)
No
51% (69 votes)
Can't Say
2% (3 votes)
Total votes: 134
http://oheraldo.in/node/6775?PHPSESSID=c6964e58b95a6e241275cf25ae8fff8e
___________
Link Articles from The Navhind Times
Churchill convenes convention of Cong workers from S Goa NT News Service
Margao, Sept 9: Expressing displeasure over the functioning of his own
partys government in the state, the South Goa MP, Mr Churchill Alemao, has
called for a convention of Congress workers from South Goa on September 23, in
Margao, to chalk out future course of action, in an apparent bid to consolidate
his position.
Launching a direct attack on the Congress party at a press conference, here
today, Mr Alemao said: I am unhappy with the present government in Goa. I had
promised my voters that I would get the Mopa airport project scrapped and
ensure the proper functioning of the public distribution system. My promises
could not be kept due to non-cooperation of the Congress party.
He further said that he was fully committed to the cause of Konkani and that
he fully endorsed the demand for recognition of Roman script. There is however
a delay in certain quarters to give Roman script its due recognition, he said
adding that he wanted to place all his grievances before workers and apprise
them of the situation.
Declaring that important issues will be discussed at the convention, he said
that he had always fought for the cause of down-trodden and alleged that the
government had not solved the issue of taxi operators.
Mr Alemao alleged that the government was trying to please the migrants by
giving them free land. He said that the interest of Goans was being overlooked
and the government was only concerned about the well being of the migrants. He
also alleged that there was a rise in criminal activities due to the unchecked
flow of migrants into the state and the interest of Goans was being compromised.
Mr Alemao alleged that the Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsingh Rane, was working
under pressure from certain quarters and that he does not enjoy full freedom
while taking decisions. When asked by a reporter on whether he would stake
claim for the Congress ticket at the forthcoming assembly elections, Mr Alemao
replied, Who cares?
He said his people are important for him and they will decide about his
ticket. He did not rule out the possibility of distributing tickets to others
if situation arose.
Mr Alemao lamented that there was infighting within the Congress. He alleged
that the Cuncolim Industrial Estate pollution issue was being sought to be
blown out of proportion possibly at the instigation of some Congress leaders
from South Goa.
-----
Churchill to go ahead with Sept 23 meet
NT News Service
Margao, Sept 14: Defying the directive of the Congress partys central
leadership, the South Goa MP, Mr Churchill Alemao today said that he would go
ahead with his planned meeting of South Goa Congress workers to be held on
September 23 and dared the leadership to remove him if it felt that he was
indulging in wrong activities.
Talking to `The Navhind Times, Mr Alemao said that nobody could stop him
from organising the Congress workers convention. He observed that he was
elected by voters and it was their right to know as what he was doing. He said
that his one-point programme is scrapping of Mopa airport and his fight would
continue further.
He appealed his workers not to get misguided and carried away by false
propaganda being spread by a section of Congress leaders in Goa. Spelling out
the reasons for convening the September 23 meeting, he pointed out that he had
made four major promises to the people, and none of them has been fulfilled due
to non-cooperation of a section of the Congress leaders in Goa. He revealed
that he wants to keep all these facts before the workers who elected him. He
said he wants to discuss important issues affecting people, and issues related
to son of the soil. Therefore, he said, he has convened the meeting of the
workers from South Goa on September 23 in Margao at 4 p.m.
Mr Alemao stated that he is a Congressman. Even if someone wants him to leave
the party he would not do so. ``Let them remove me from the party if they feel
that what I am doing is wrong, he said. The South Goa MP alleged that some of
the Congress leaders are getting uncomfortable at him for being active in the
Congress.
Why are they using the high command and the all-India Congress committee
secretary in-charge, Ms Margaret Alvas name in spreading false propaganda, he
asked. He said that if some people feel that he should be divested of all
responsibilities of the party wing they are welcomed to do so. Let them deal
with me the way they want, he said adding that he would be always with the
people.
Mr Alemao disclosed that neither the high command nor the secretary in-charge
of Goa desk has spoken to him on any matter. The central leadership is not
aware of what is happening within the Congress in Goa. He claimed that nobody
has complained to central leadership of the party, alleging that false
propaganda is being spread to spoil his image. He observed that Churchill is
capable of facing up to anybody and that nobody can damage his image.
He said, ``People know me and my contribution . I am fighting to give justice
to sons of soil and nobody can stop me from taking steps in the interest of the
people.
On the script controversy, the South Goa MP said that he was fully committed
to the cause of Konkani, and endorsed the demand for recognition of Konkani in
Roman script. He felt that a delay has been made in certain quarters in
according official status to Roman script.
-----
From the REDIFF on the Net Archives:
'Is the Congress left with any face to talk about criminals in politics?
Churchill Braz Alemao. A decade ago, the name and the image it conjured
was unsavoury. Today, he is the hero of the people, the political saviour of
Goa. His love for football is legendary. His football teams - Churchill
Brothers and Varca Sports Club - are among the toughest teams in the country.
He takes an equal interest in dhirio,Goa's traditional bullfights. His
generosity ensures that no one leaves his home in Varca empty-handed and he is
believed to be have more concern for the needy than many Goa politicians. And
yet it is said his name figures prominently in the federal home ministry's list
of unsavoury characters. His brother Alvernaz was killed by a customs officer
some years ago, allegedly while carrying smuggled gold, on the day his friends
and relatives were preparing to attend his youngest brother Kennedy's wedding.
In 1990, within 75 days of entering the state assembly,
Alemao toppled Pratapsing Rane's Congress government, formed a coalition with
the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and became Goa's first Catholic chief
minister. In the 1994 assembly election, his United Goans Democratic Party
won only three seats, but built a following among lower caste Catholics,
traditionally a Congress vote bank. Two years later, despite being detained
along with his brother in a gold smuggling case, he was elected to Parliament
from South Goa, defeating former federal minister Eduardo Faleiro who had
represented the constituency for almost twenty years. Goa may be known for
communal harmony. But politics in the beach state is clearly divided on
religious lines. Churchill Alemao is perhaps the first Catholic leader who has
successfully made a breakthrough in Hindu areas. Sandesh Prabhudesai met him
at the Goa Renaissance. Excerpts from the conversation:. You were once
branded an anti-national because of your alleged smuggling activities. Why
do you think the people, who once abused you thus, have now reposed faith in
you? Who told you I am a smuggler ? Have I been convicted for smuggling? It's
a clear-cut political conspiracy. They knew Churchill's mobilising power and
sincerity. That's why they tried to mislead the people by branding me a
smuggler. They even put me behind bars. But they didn't succeed. The truth has
prevailed. If this is not the truth, then why did you tell tall stories about
your life? These are not tall stories. It's a bitter truth the way I lived
and came up. I have no regret that I was a dropout at 16. We were six brothers
and I am the eldest. To fight poverty I started washing utensils at a village
tea shop. Then I joined the Goa Shipyard as a casual labourer on a daily wage
of Rs 5. The technicians used to stand on me, sometimes for hours together,
using me as a ladder. Then I went to Bombay in 1966, working as a helper for
parties held in five star hotels, including the Taj. I
even worked as a welder in a mill, earning Rs 1,000 per month. But I had to
rush back to Goa as the work made me critically ill. I then boarded a ship as a
sailor, starting on a monthly salary of Rs 250. I worked there for 15 years,
with which I bought my first fishing trawler, It brought me a fortune. Telling
this to the people helps them come closer to me. Goa's Chief Minister
Pratapsing Rane says no criminal, including a smuggler, should be allowed to
contest elections. It's obvious he is talking about you. This is the usual
trick of Congressmen. Call others criminals and hide your own criminal acts.
But is the Congress left with any face to talk about criminals in politics?
They are the biggest criminals. To brand me a criminal, they even detained me
under COFEPOSA. But I was released without any charges being proven. I
challenge you to prove that I was convicted in a single case. I fully agree
that no criminal should be allowed to contest elections. But only
if they are convicted. Otherwise, anyone could be barred from contesting by
filing false cases. I am confident that only the United Front government can
bring these reforms. They have no criminal elements. What about Phoolan Devi?
Would you call her a criminal? Definitely. She has killed people. She has
transformed herself now. But it cannot justify your criminal acts. It is also a
fact that society forced her to become a criminal and a dacoit. But she remains
a criminal as far as her past record is concerned. Transformation should not be
made a criteria to contest elections. It is said some history-sheeters have
entered the Lok Sabha this time. What's your experience with them? Do you find
them more humane than the others? We are all sinners. There are many
politicians in Parliament who are actually criminal in nature. See Sukh Ram. He
was a god for the Congress till yesterday. What is his fate today ? There must
be many such criminals sitting in the House, but
they are not the branded ones. You just wait for some days. All such hidden
criminals will be exposed. You were tipped to be a minister. But MGP MP
Ramakant Khalap scored over you at the last minute. What conspired between
whom, due to which you lost the opportunity? Congress leader Sharad Pawar
came to his rescue. Otherwise, everyone in Delhi knew that he was trying for a
berth in the BJP government. He is known to be a communal person in Goa. But
more than that, he is an opportunist. Today he is sitting in the UF government
as a Congressman, with Pawar's blessings. But you supported him during the
election... True. I helped him to defeat the Congress. But he gave a letter
to the central leaders that I am a smuggler. I told them to prove it. Can there
be a funeral without a dead body ? Khalap is not a person to be relied upon. He
ditched me. Do you consider H D Deve Gowda your leader? Yes, as long as he
is prime minister. How long do you feel the UF
government will survive? And whom will you support if the government
collapses? Who knows what will happen tomorrow? Is politics a stable and
reliable game? God knows whom I'll support if this government falls. But one
thing is clear -- I'll neither support the BJP nor the Congress. It would be
some or other component of the National Front-Left Front. What about tourism?
How can I forget tourism ? It's a gold mine for Goans. But the government has
not planned it properly. We can earn a lot of foreign exchange on it,
especially if we encourage upmarket tourism. What's the use of getting masons
and carpenters by charter flights? You can kill two birds in one stone if
upmarket tourism is stressed upon. We can run the state without taxing the
people if enough amount of revenue is collected from the infrastructure
facilities we provide the tourists. But the five star hotel lobby is not
happy with the ban on construction within 200 metres from the High Tide Line.
I
don't know what they feel. But I personally feel the ban is hampering our
tourism development. Foreigners come here to enjoy our beaches. Who would like
to come here if hotels are far away from the beaches? The hotels should be
spread all along the coastline. What about the casinos? The most sensible
decision of the Congress government. It'll give big relief to the locals, in
terms of employment as well as taxes. The government could be run with the
revenue on casinos alone. It can be diverted for development schemes. N T Rama
Rao diverted funds from others schemes to sell rice for Rs 2. But with casinos,
you can sell rice for Rs 2 while implementing all the schemes. It'll also
provide good business for tourist taxis and 12-month employment in the hotels,
without any break in the off season. But what if the local population gets
addicted to gambling? You restrict their entry. Don't allow any Indian unless
he pays Rs 200,000 as the membership fee. Indians should not
be allowed to play even on the slot machines at five star hotels if such fees
are not paid. And one more thing. The decision to have offshore casinos is
useless. We should have casinos on the shore. The Opposition calls it 'sinful
money'. Does it suit our Indian traditions to make money on gambling? What
traditions you are talking about ? It's all over the world since ages. We
simply make it a moralistic issue. The BJP tried to stop one-digit lotteries in
Delhi on the same grounds, but the court allowed it. They also say it would
boost prostitution. It's all bogus. Our women may be poor, but not of immoral
character. And they come here to gamble, not for such kind of fun. They are
decent people, you know. Is prostitution good? Presume it is bad. But
imagine if prostitution is actually banned. The militarymen and sailors would
finish our women. Sexual urge is a natural instinct. Prostitution is a remedy
for it. We should not suppress such things. They say AIDS
cases will increase after casinos are allowed. It's a foolish argument.
Nowadays science tells us what is TB, cancer AIDS etc. God knows for how long
AIDS existed in India and how many people died of it. They are scared of rapes.
But there are more cases of our own people raping Goan girls. In fact, our own
people raped the hippies roaming nude on the Goa beaches.
http://www.rediff.com/news/1996/1809ale.htm
From the www.colaco.net archives
Indian Navy - please return Dabolim to owner
A letter from Mr. Churchill Alemao, MP to Mr. Balasaheb Patil, MP and
Chairman of the Defence Standing Committee
13th September 2004
Dear Chairman,
There have been problems faced by the Airport Authority of India in the civil
operations of aircrafts at Dabolim Airport.
The main problem is that the Dabolim Civil Airport has been taken over by the
Indian Naval Authority. Very often restrictions are imposed by our Navy on the
landing slots of foreign chartered aircrafts carrying foreign tourists.
I would like to emphasise the importance of Goa as number one on the tourist
map of India. There are nearly 300 to 400 hotels and resorts from Deluxe,
5-stars to 2-3 stars and almost 6-7 lakhs Goans depend on tourist trade for
their livelihood. Revenues from tourist trade benefit directly or indirectly
both the Goa State and our country as a whole.
The question of shifting the Naval Base from the Dabolim Airport to Sea Bird
Naval Base, Karwar, has already been taken up separately with the Ministry of
Defence, Government of India in the right earnest.
I would request the Committee to deliberate on this issue of national
importance and lend their weight to the proposal of shifting the Naval Base
from Dabolim Airport so that it functions as a full fledged Civil Airport
without any hindrances. The example of Red Fort in Delhi is there to follow in
the interest of Tourism.
I am enclosing the following documentary evidence to prove that the Dabolim
Airport is actually a Civil Airport:
1. In 1955 a decree was passed to build an airport for civil aviation.
(Portuguese Government).
2. Document showing that after 'Operation Vijay', the Civilian Airport was
taken over by Defence forces only for its maintenance.
3. Documents enlists all airports in India and are classified at Civil, Defence
and Private. But Goa (Dabolim Airport) does not figure at all because,
conveniently they hid its actual owner so that they could manipulate the Goa
Government.
4. Official Gazette of former Colonial Government proves that Dabolim was a
Civilian Airport.
5. For background purpose:- Goa being a very small state, it cannot afford to
misuse, waste or part with its land resources. Defence and Central Government
agencies occupy the major part of Vasco and Dabolim.
6. Some press cuttings to show why Dabolim Airport should be restored to its
civilian status and the Naval Training enclave should move to the biggest Naval
Base at Sea Bird at Karwar. It must be noted that the Defence forces took over
the Anjedive Island for expansion of Sea Bird Base without any compensation or
benefit for Goa.
I am at your disposal for any further clarification required in this behalf.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Churchill Alemao
M.P. (Lok Sabha)
Ex-Chief Minister - Goa.
Reproduced courtesy Gaspar Almeida & Carmo Santos of the Goa Welfare Society,
Kuwait with expressed permission to reproduce this letter given them by Mr.
Churchill Alemao, MP (Lok Sabha)
TGF
October 14, 2004
(All archives compiled by Gaspar Almeida, www.goa-world.com)
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