Asserts the issue won’t affect party’s Lok Sabha poll prospects
TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Brushing aside that the Dabolim-Mopa airport issue would be a major challenge to Bharatiya Janata Party at the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, newly appointed State observer Smriti Irani categorically stressed that “Dabolim airport will continue to function along with Mopa.”
“Party looks at two-airport theory for infrastructure development of the State. Any activity that helps in the development of the State and improving its infrastructure, should be welcomed,” Irani told Herald.
The senior BJP leader said that the issue cannot be looked at from a political perspective but (from the point of view of) development of State. “Some people are indulging in petty politics,” she said, without specifically naming anyone.
As announced by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Irani said that Dabolim airport will neither be closed nor its operations reduced, but with passenger and cargo volumes expected to rise exponentially in the next few years, Goa needs to go ahead with constructing the new airport at Mopa.
“State government has already started work for expanding the facility at Dabolim, for which crores of rupees are being spent. With this, government has made its intention clear that it will not close down Dabolim,” she said. Irani said that Mopa is a necessity under the given circumstances as Dabolim will not be able to handle passenger traffic.
The State government is facing strong opposition to the Mopa airport mainly from South Goa. Political commentators have called it the North- South divide and pointed out that it could be a major political challenge ahead of Lok Sabha polls.
Earlier, speaking to media persons Irani said, “I see no challenge before me ahead of Lok Sabha polls as the party organization at the State level has been very active’.
“We are confident that in Goa, we would clinch a spectacular victory in Lok Sabha polls winning both the seats,” she said.
Speaking about the casino issue, Irani defended Chief Minister for being the leader who has vowed to phase out off-shore casinos from the State.
“Chief Minister has made a statement that no new licences for the casinos would be given. He has also said that off-shore casinos would be phased out during his tenure,” she said responding to a question on alleged ‘U’ turn of the State government on off-shore casinos’.
When asked about the current IPL spot-fixing issue, Irani said that time had come to clean up the scar on cricket and the guilty should be brought to justice.
“The sport of cricket is bigger than any individual considering that the game has been like religion in the country,” she said.
Irani was in Goa for the last two days, wherein she had interactions with Chief Minister, BJP MLAs and other office bearers. She also had a look at the preparedness for the forthcoming national executive meeting to be held in the first week of June.
