11 Mar 2018 | 07:42am IST
Some MLAs have got some interest in mining business
The decision by politicians to visit Delhi and petition for the continuation of mining evoked much comment on both sides of the political divide. Nilesh Cabral of the BJP and Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenceo the Congress MLA are on opposite ends and had much to say. Basuri Desai spoke to them on this issue
Basuri Desai
HERALD: What is your reaction to the unsuccessful all party delegation that visited Delhi?
Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco: It is a fraud on the people of Goa, at least by the Bharatiya Janata Party. They were the people who wanted auctioning. May be it as a party’s stand, but how can party stand be a political one?
HERALD: Why do you think Minister and MLAs are supporting mining lobby in the State?
Reginaldo: Some MLAs have got some interests in the mining business in Goa and that has made them to take that stand, I am talking about the BJP. I think they should listen to the people of Goa. They should honour the Supreme Court verdict. If there are any issues it should be addressed separately, not by making public statements against Supreme Court’s order. BJP has taken lot of money in various forms in second lease renewal of mining knowing that amendment is coming in the MMDR Act.
HERALD: Why you failed to convince your own party leaders and colleagues in CLP?
Reginaldo: I was threatened by one of the MLA that I would be taught a lesson. He is from my party and reason why I walked out of the CLP. I was threatened in the meeting. But still I tried my best to convince. And maybe they wanted to toe the line of the ruling who propagated the visit to central Government.
HERALD: Will you take up the issue with the central leadership of your party?
Reginaldo: Of course, I will be taking the issue up with high command. Congress is a democratic party. I will give a comprehensive report to the high command as BJP set aside 2G and coal allotment and auctioned the same a month back.
HERALD: What is a way forward in this situation?
Reginaldo: I am not here to oppose, I am here to give a good comprehensive solution. People like Claude Alvares, Ramesh Gawas and others who are fighting the cases spending time, energy and money cannot be sold for a fling. They have to be taken into confidence because they have won in the Supreme Court. Court is not foolish to listen to them, they will have some intelligence. The solution forward is to take them into confidence and come with a sustainable mining. We have still forgotten the issue of recovery which the BJP is scared looks like.
