TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Asserting that the BJP was all for the Dabolim airport, its general secretary Narendra Sawaikar, who is tipped to be the party candidate for South Goa Lok Sabha seat, has said the question of Mopa airport can be discussed and addressed at a later stage depending on future requirements.
He also said that the Portuguese citizenship tangle should be addressed bilaterally by both India and Portugal.
“As far as the BJP is concerned, Dabolim airport has been expanded with the soft launching of the new terminal, which will be commissioned full-fledged next month. Whether Mopa is required or not can be discussed keeping in the mind the future requirements. There’s no point in discussing the issue now, as the upgraded Dabolim airport is expected to cater to passengers, especially foreign tourists visiting the state”, he told the media.
Sawaikar, however, reminded that Mopa airport issue cropped up in 1999 when the Congress was in power. “Some four months ago, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh announced 14 airports, including Mopa, under Greenfield projects. The Congress was in power in 1999 and is now ruling at the Centre. But the party is not taking a stand on the airport now”, he said.
He said that Dabolim airport would continue to operate while accusing vested interests for trying to instill fear in the minds of people of South Goa that their business will be hit and the economy affected. “People of South Goa need not worry. All economic activity will continue. We are all for Dabolim airport”, he asserted.
On the Portuguese citizenship issue, Sawaikar said both India and Portugal should discuss the issue to protect the interests of Goans availing Portuguese citizenship. “Our people have taken advantage of the facility provided by Portugal. In the bargain, certain issues have been raised, which need to be addressed by both the countries. As far as the citizenship issue affecting the election is concerned, the same need to be addressed by the court”, he said, while making
very clear that the BJP is for dual citizenship for Indian citizens.
