Team Herald
MARGAO: The Congress leaders on Saturday resolved to be a part of all the agitations and protests opposing the ‘destructive projects’ planned in the State.
The protest meeting with a slogan “Only Goal Say No to Coal and Save Mollem From Destruction” was held at Margao under the initiative of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC).
Congress bigwigs including GPCC president Girish Chodankar, Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat, ex-speaker Pratapsingh Rane, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, former chief minister Luizinho Faleiro, former MLA Aleixo Sequeira, Mahila Congress president Pratima Coutinho and others were present.
However, Congress’ Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco was seated among the crowd.
Kamat said, “This is an important meeting of the Congress calling upon to Goans to demand cancellation of the coal hub. Is the Government of the day working for the people? Goans opposed the Regional Plan and SEZ and following objection, our Congress government cancelled the same. After so much opposition, this government is not interested in listening to the voices of Goans”.
“All trains are plying on the KRC track. Why do we need SWR second track? It is definitely to suffice the demand of the private companies who want coal,” Kamat alleged.
He said, “If we keep watching and remain quiet, the MPT will be privatised like several other institutions of India. Goans will not keep quiet and Congress will support the people in opposing the “disastrous” projects planned by the government.”
“This government has to get used to listening to the people or else they won’t let you rule in the future. I was the Power Minister of Goa but we never cut trees. Congress calls upon the people of Goa not to allow these projects. We have to oppose these projects by remaining united,” he urged.
Pratima said, “People are here today because they believe that our main goal is to say no to coal. We have the right to oppose the wrong. Goans are exercising their right to say no to coal. Why is the government acting deaf? Pramod Sawant is answerable. This has no benefit to Goans and the government has to answer. Nilesh Cabral won’t be elected again but the youth need Goa for the future”.
Former Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro said, “Emperor Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Likewise, the government has evil plans while the country and the State are burning. These projects are against Goa and Goans. People won’t allow these projects. Goa is not a colony of the Centre. You don’t have the right to force the Central projects on us”.
“It is not late to make a decision and stop these projects. Goans fought for Statehood, language and will die but won’t allow you to destroy the State,” he warned.
Raju Cabral of Goencho Ekvott said, “Don’t stop the fight. Decide to get one person out of the house to support the agitation as the Railways plan to complete their work”.
Sardinha warned that the people will be forced to close the entire track if government doesn’t listen to them.
“Serve the people and you have been elected to do that,” he reminded.
Pratapsingh Rane said, “The people of Goa are awake and should be given credit for opposing the polluting industries and projects that were planned for Goa in the past as well as in the present.”
Urging the people to take a pledge that the movement will not end before Goa gets justice, GPCC vice president M K Shaikh said, “This problem was limited to Vasco 20 years ago, but now it is a problem before the entire State. The second track is a plan for coal and Goans have no benefit from it”.
Youth Congress president Varad Mardolkar said, “Let’s take a pledge to start a revolution to make Goa free from this BJP government, which is bound to loot and sell the State”.
“The coal mafia in Mormugao is supported by the Central and State governments. There are BJP MLAs who are from the areas that will be affected by coal, but they are not speaking. Milind Naik has become the bandit of Mormugao Port and the State government is protecting him”, Sankalp Amonkar alleged.
“Adani and Jindal have finished Mormugao. I ask the Government, do you want to govern the State by walking over the bodies of the people? The destruction of Mollem is the gift of this government,” Shankar Polji from Mormugao charged.
