Mickky: I will fight for Dabolim, long way to go for Mopa
Herald: You are making a comeback into the cabinet after five long years. How does it feel to have finally found a berth in the ministry?
Pacheco: Yes, it was a long wait but Mickky knows that one gets better things if you wait. My time has started now and I am happy. I am also happy that the commitment given by the BJP has been fulfilled.
HERALD: Your return comes at a time when the agitation against the proposed airport at Mopa is heating up in Salcete. Voices have been heard in your constituency too that you may withdraw support to the BJP if the government is not dropping Mopa. How would you grapple with the Mopa imbroglio?
Pacheco: I do not want to enter into a debate with people who are demanding withdrawal of GVP support to the BJP government because I feel that withdrawal of support is no solution to the issue. One has to understand that withdrawal of support will not bring down the government. And, is there an alternative in place if the BJP government goes? Is not the Congress responsible for initiating the process to acquire land for Mopa? Has the leader of the opposition not claimed that Mopa is his baby? Well, there’s a long way to go for Mopa. The North-South highway is not in place. The bridges across Mandovi and Zuari rivers are yet to see light of the day.
Herald : Don’t you think you will be swimming against the tide if you do not stand by your people, who are totally opposed to the new airport at Mopa?
Pacheco: Well, my stand is clear on the airport issue. I am supporting Dabolim airport and will see to it that the airport is never closed down. The airport has been expanded in the past and if required, we will have to further address the question of infrastructure at Dabolim to meet the growing requirements.
Herald: Do you subscribe to the view of the Defence Minister that those demanding shifting of the navy to Seabird, Karwar are anti-national?
PACHECO: The defence minister is perfectly right. Navy is based in the state for the safety of the state and its people. You cannot demand shifting of the navy to Karnataka. The navy’s presence is required in Goa. Parrikar was perfectly right when he made the statement.
Avertano: Yes for Dabolim, wait and watch for Mopa
Herald: For a week now, Navelkars kept their fingers crossed wondering whether or not their legislator would find a berth in the Parsekar cabinet. How did you feel after you were called by the BJP leadership in Panjim and told you about your induction.
Furtado: I am happy that Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has decided to induct me in his ministry. But, more than that, I was really touched by the love and affection shown by people not only from Navelim, but from across the state. Indeed, I was greatly touched when people offered prayers for my induction in the cabinet.
HERALD: You are back in the ministry but, it is also true that the ghost of Mopa will come to haunt you with the anti-Mopa movement gaining momentum. How will you handle the demands of your constituents and the BJP’s resolve to build the new airport at Mopa?
FURTADO: My stand on the airport row is very clear, that I am fully for Dabolim as Goa’s international airport. I want Dabolim to stay forever. As far as BJP’s resolve to build the new airport is concerned, let us wait and see.
HERALD: When you and Alina Saldanha had expressed your reservations against the Request for Qualification (RFQ), then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had promised to hold interactions in south Goa. When will the new government headed by Parsekar hold the interactions in Vasco and Margao?
Furtado: Since former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is no more the chief minister of Goa, I cannot answer that question. But, I along with Alina Saldanha will certainly take up the matter with our new chief minister. We can’t force the new chief minister to have the interactions, but we will certainly discuss the matter with him.
HERALD: Do you subscribe to the view of the defence minister that the demand to shift the navy to Seabird, Karwar is anti-national?
FURTADO: I have no comment to offer. The defence minister must have said something, but I do not want to comment on that.
