Team Herald
PONDA: There’s hope in the mining countryside since Saturday, after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal promised relief to mining dependants within 10 days of coming to power. But there is also pragmatism that any government coming to power after the 2017 polls will have to settle their issues.
Usgao villagers feel Kejriwal’s visit generated hope of change. Anand Naik, who attended the meeting, said, “We experienced all political parties and if AAP assures corruption free and clean government then people should vote for it.”
But, Dharbandora Sarpanch Balaji Gawas, who is also a member of the All Goa Truck Owners Association, was not so positive about it. “We welcomed the Delhi chief minister because he came to the mining area and heard our grievances. We are happy that he has assured to solve our problems if he comes to power. However, any government that comes to power after the elections is bound to solve our grievances. Former chief minister Manohar Parrikar too had given such assurances. According to some BJP MLAs, Kejriwal is making false promises but I think the present government has come under pressure due to Kejriwal’s meeting. If the current government thinks it can fulfill the demands of mining dependants, it should do so before the next Assembly elections.”
These views were echoed by the All Goa Machine Owners Association President Sandeep Parab who said he couldn’t speak for all the members of his association, but many agree that for the first time a political leader came and heard them.
“I hope AAP has decided to sort out our problems. I think that any party or politician coming forward to help us is welcome and we will stand by them. We want our problems solved,” he said adding he expects a change in their condition after the polls.
Victory, however, won’t come easily to AAP. All Goa Truck Owners Association President Nilkant Gawas said that to get votes in Goa AAP will have to work hard.
“Most AAP workers are educated and come from the city. Though Kejriwal promised to solve our problems I don’t believe in such assurances. When we held a month-long agitation at Vadkade, AAP leaders met us and went. They did not participate in our agitation. Further even former chief minister Manohar Parrikar assured to recover Rs 35,000 crore looted but nothing has happened,” Gawas said.
Truck driver Vishnu Sawant said, “We did not get any help from the BJP government except assurances. While some truck owners and machinery owners got some sort of relief, we truck drivers were neglected. If BJP thinks that AAP should not come to power, then, they should fulfill our demands and not call AAP cheats. We were the worst sufferers after the mining closure.”
