Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) Convenor Fr Eremito Rebello, however, reminded that if the Congress had erred in initiating Mopa, the BJP need not follow the Congress footsteps, even as he made a fervent appeal to people in general, irrespective of caste and creed, to joins hands to oppose the Mopa airport. He said the GFDO in the past had kept away politicians from sharing its platform, but made it clear that since time is running out, all Goans should come under one banner to fight against Mopa.
Speakers at the huge meeting held at Padribhat, which was organised by the villagers led by Parish Priest Fr Richard Pinheiro, called for scrapping of the new airport and vowed to take the battle to the logical conclusion. Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco also attended the meeting to express solidarity with the anti-Mopa movement.
Benjamin in his address sought to point accusing fingers at the Congress for the ills plaguing the state. “It was the Congress which had set the ball rolling for the Mopa airport. The Congress could have scrapped Mopa. The new government has only taken possession of the acquired land. The same Congress is responsible for the ills plaguing Sao Jose de Areal, especially in the IDC. If I talk too much, I will be accused as a BJP agent because I am supporting the government. But, I am supporting the government to get development works for my constituency. Tomorrow, you will accuse me for doing nothing in the constituency”, D’Silva said.
Fr Rebello, in his address, however, made it amply clear that the BJP government need not follow the Congress footsteps in going ahead with the Mopa airport. “The Congress was routed for corruption and people were expecting the BJP to give a new direction to the state. The ruling party need not support the Congress decision,” he said, even as he slammed Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for failing to follow the legacy of late Minister Matanhy Saldanha. “Follow Matanhy’s ideology and claim you are following his legacy. By naming the District Collectorate after Matanhy or inaugurating his statues does not prove that the CM is following Matanhy’s legacy”, Fr Rebello said.
Saying that time is running out for Goans to sink their differences and join hands to oppose Mopa, Fr Rebello warned that the people of Goa will go to any extent to stop the Mopa airport.
In his address, Parish Priest Fr Richard Pinheiro called upon the Sao Jose de Areal villagers to oppose Mopa saying that Dabolim is centrally located and accessible to parts of the State. He complimented Fr Rebello for leading the agitation, while exuding confidence that people of Goa will ground the airport.
Areal Sarpanch Julio Monteiro said the proposed airport at Mopa cannot be development-oriented while demanding to know how the government will fulfill its promise to build a North-South highway without land.
GFDO leader Sidharth Karapurkar said that Mopa will spell doom not only for the state’s economy, but the environment and ecology of the area, while villager Peter Viegas said the government is trying to bull doze its way with the airport at Mopa when the inhabitants do not even enjoy a bus stand and good roads in the area.
