I have repeatedly said that I am with my people as far as the airport issue is concerned. I am aware that the people of my constituency are opposed to Mopa and I will be with my constituents. I want Dabolim to stay.
You say you are opposed to Mopa, but the government you are supporting is firm in building the new airport.
I have made myself very clear that I will stand by the people to oppose Mopa. If the government is going ahead with Mopa, it is now left to the people to take a call. The people should come out and take a decision.
What are the options if the government fails to do a rethink on the new airport?
I am receiving the feedback from the people on the airport row. I will take an appropriate decision when the time comes.
Fr Eremito is responsible if Alina hasn’t opposed Mopa outrightly
Mickky Pacheco, Nuvem MLA
There are no takers for the new airport at Mopa in Nuvem. What is your stand on the Mopa airport?
I am the representative of the people and I do not want to bring the people on the streets. When the time comes, I will be with my people. I have made my stand clear that I am for Dabolim. But, if the government says that Mopa is for the future, let it first create the necessary infrastructure, especially the road network connecting North and South. Then, let the people take a call whether they want Mopa or not.
A year ago, you had thundered at Nuvem that the GVP will withdraw support to the government if it goes ahead with Mopa.
I did make the statement at a meeting called by Fr Eremito Rebello in Nuvem. It is also a fact that Fr Eremito had said at the funeral of late Matanhy that Alina will fulfill the legacy of her husband. Alina is today the Environment Minister and Fr Eremito is responsible if she has not come out to oppose Mopa.
But, Mickky is silent now on the airport issue even though the government has floated the RFQ – the first step towards building the new airport.
No, not at all. The RFQ is nothing but a process to shortlist people to build the project. I have myself clear that if the government thinks that Dabolim will not be sufficient for the future, then it should create the necessary infrastructure right now. Today, the highway connecting North and South is congested. Let us not disturb the peace and harmony of the state.
Mopa was Congress’ game plan to promote tourism in Maharashtra
Caitu Silva, Benaulim MLA
No one in your constituency favours Mopa airport. What is your stand on the airport issue?
From day one, my stand has been very clear on the airport issue. I am opposed to Mopa. Once Mopa comes, Dabolim will be shut. This situation will create problems for the people and tourism in South Goa.
You have been saying that you will stand by the people. But, the government you are supporting is going ahead with the new airport at Mopa.
Two airports for a small state like Goa will not work. If at all there’s a need for a second airport, the State government should have gone in for a central location. It is clear that the airport was proposed during the Congress regime at Mopa to help tourism in Maharashtra and the politicians.
Will you withdraw the support to the government?
Will my decision make any difference to the government when the BJP has 21 clear numbers in the Assembly? Even assuming I decide to resign, will my successor be in a position to stop the government from going ahead with Mopa?
I can withdraw support,
but will it stop Mopa?
Benjamin Silva, Velim MLA
Your constituency is home for seafarers who fly out from Dabolim to their work destinations. What exactly is your stand on the airport issue?
I want to make it clear that I am with the people on the airport issue. People of South Goa want Dabolim airport to retain as Goa’s lone international airport and we will stand by the people.
But, the government you are supporting has initiated the first step by floating the RFQ to take Mopa to its logical conclusion. Comment.
Tell me one thing if I withdraw support to the Parrikar government, will the government stop pursuing the new airport at Mopa. I have told Fr Eremito Rebello to take his MLA and minister Alina Saldanha into confidence and get her in the agitation. I have no problem to withdraw support to the government, but the question remains is whether my decision will stop the government from going ahead with Mopa.
Finally, the BJP has the support of 21 MLAs in the Assembly. Let the people come out and demand scrapping of the new airport.
What will you do if the government does not do a re-think on Mopa?
I do not think I have any options before me. As I had said, I am ready to withdraw support, but my constituency will suffer because my decision will not have a bearing on the government. We have tried to convince the Chief Minister not to pursue Mopa, but he says that Mopa is required in the long run. Let the CM hold the promised interactions with the people of South Goa.
