ABS fumes over Parrikar remark on Kala Bhavan
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
PORVORIM, AUG 18
The Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS) is furious with Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar for stating that the Mini Kala Bhavan be shifted elsewhere as the suggested location at Ansabhat-Mapusa would create traffic problem.
“When Parrikar was the chief minister, President of Mapusa Utkarsh Mandal Narayan Karekar had submitted to him a memorandum bearing 10,000 signatures from Bardez taluka stating that the Bhavan should be set up at Mapusa. Parrikar had agreed to the same,” said ABS President Madhuker Bhonsale, briefing press persons at Mapusa.
He informed that when the Congress formed the government, the residents of Mapusa formed an association ‘Bardez Kala Bhavan Nirman Kruti Samiti’ to press the demand for the Bhavan at Mapusa.
“A delegation of Bardez Kala Bhavan Nirman Kruti Samiti met the MLAs of Mapusa, Tivim and Siolim and impressed upon them the need of having a Kala Bhavan in Mapusa,” said Bhonsale.
All these MLAs agreed in principle to support their demand. This delegation also met Parrikar although he was the MLA of Panjim.”
“Parrikar had assured the delegation that he would pursue the matter with the government and as the big project would not be viable from maintenance point of view, he would suggest to the government to build a Mini Kala Bhavan with a seating capacity 1200 as early as possible,” Bhonsale added.
“Now all of a sudden to the surprise of everybody, Parrikar has changed his stand and has started demanding that the Bhavan be shifted to Kharaswada. This attitude of Parrikar is certainly deplorable,” said Bhonsale.
“It is not known as to why only BJP MLAs are opposing the Bhavan project at Ansabhat-Mapusa, as there is no opposition from Congress MLAs,” he said.
He stated that the Government has already completed the formality of acquiring of around 8534 sq mts of land.
“The area selected by the Directorate of Art and Culture is best suited for the proposed Bhavan, as it is located centrally and in the vicinity of Kadamba Bus Stand and Mapusa Police Station.”
“If the BJP MLAs try to shift the site of Bhavan elsewhere using political pressure, they will be doing injustice to the people of Mapusa. The Bhavan is for art lovers and not for the MLAs”, he said.
“The BJP MLAs should support the people and permit the government to go ahead with the project at the site selected by the Directorate of Art and Culture,” said Bhonsale.
