VASCO: Ignoring state-wide outcry over their controversial trip to watch the FIFA World Cup, four of Goa’s six legislators reportedly left for Brazil by the 10.30 pm Air India flight at the Dabolim airport.
Aware of the intense public scrutiny surrounding their trip after Herald broke the news, Vasco MLA and KTC Chairman Carlos Almeida managed to slip past media persons, who were waiting outside the airport terminal, by entering the airport much ahead of the scheduled check-in time.
Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado arrived at Dabolim airport at about 9.30 pm and he snubbed the media persons, when asked if he was proceeding to Brazil to watch the football World Cup. “When you know where I am going why are you asking this question?” was the sharp reaction of the former footballer-turned-politician.
To another query on whether their tickets had been paid for by the Sports Authority of Goa, Furtado hit back: “Who informed the media?”
When the media persons reminded him that information about their trip had been leaked by sources in the SAG, a visibly irritated Furtado shot back, “You go and ask those who have informed you,” and barged inside the airport.
In the meantime, Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo, who had also arrived at around the same time, managed to avoid the media persons and quickly slipped inside the airport.
Benaulim MLA Benjamin Silva arrived at the airport at about 9.45 pm and was promptly asked the same set of questions by media persons.
Asked if he was going to Brazil for the football World Cup, Silva tried to deflect the question and said, “I am going to Bombay.” Clearly uncomfortable by another media question on his choice of winner at the World Cup, Silva replied: “I am going to Bombay and if I get a chance I will travel to Brazil to watch the WC.”
