Ravi Naik: The possession of Kranti Maidan was given to the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) as there were no open spaces to organise programmes at the time and most events were celebrated at the bus stand. Later, a Martyr’s Memorial was constructed at the site.
When I was chief minister during 1991, I went and met the then defence minister Sharad Pawar and the then army chief General (Sunith) Rodrigues and took possession of part of Kranti Maidan.
I had also demanded the remaining portion of Kranti Maidan and had even sent a proposal to give military land at Curti near existing military camp in exchange for the remaining portion of Kranti Maidan.
The intention to take Kranti Maidan from the military was to celebrate national days, Ganesh festival, Christmas and other cultural programmes, which were earlier celebrated on the roadside near Carmel Chapel, Ponda. The government should retain the site like Azad Maidan at Panjim and Lohia Maidan at Margao.
Herald: The beautification project has generated controversy. The local MLA wants to beautify the maidan, while the PMC complains that the beautification will reduce the open space of Ponda town’s only ground. What is your opinion?
Ravi Naik:I oppose the beautification work at Kranti Maidan in Ponda and I challenge the State government to take possession of vast portion of Kranti Maidan from the military. The Kranti Maidan is facing the road and it should be for public use. It should be kept as an open space for future generations. There is no need to undertake any construction, as there is already a Martyr’s Memorial constructed during my tenure as chief minister.
The PMC has taken the best decision to oppose the work. The PMC had a NOC only to lay pavers. The ongoing work will certainly reduce the space of accommodating the people at Kranti Maidan. If the government wants to provide information, it can built a museum and provide all the information.
Herald: First, it was the sopo controversy and now, it is the Kranti Maidan beautification project controversy. Should the PMC and the local MLA oppose each other on issues like these?
Ravi Naik:The PMC and the local MLA should sit together and resolve the issue in the best interest of the development of Ponda. But there is no sign of it, even though the MGP-BJP alliance is ruling the State and the PMC.
