MARGAO: The events that unfolded on Thursday at Sonsoddo sent an unequivocal message that Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai calls the shots in his backyard.
When the Minister for Waste Management Michael Lobo reached Sonsoddo to inspect garbage treatment plant, he was welcomed by the people from Curtorim and Fatorda with placards criticising him for the inspection.
Upset at the “greeting”, the minister left the place without meeting the gathering and accusing Vijai of staging a tiatr, while the latter questioned what minister achieved by the inspection.
As the inspection was scheduled at 3 in the afternoon, a message was spread on social media to assemble near Sonsoddo to oppose the minister. Responding to the call, a large number of people gathered to protest the inspection by the minister. Besides Vijai, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco were with the protesters.
Addressing the media, the minister resentfully said, “I am garbage minister. I accept that some said I am garbage minister. I have come here so that the matter is resolved.”
“I am very upset with the entire episode. I have come to Margao from such a distance and Vijai did not walk 10 steps to come along with me to find a solution to the problem,” Lobo lamented.
Meanwhile, another group from Curtorim and Raia areas gave a warm welcome Lobo. After Lobo left the place, Vijai told the media, “If it was not a tiatr, what was it? What did he achieve with this tiatr? It is a business for Michael. Since he failed to secure the beach cleaning contract, he is trying to create some avenue here at Sonsoddo.”
