Team Herald
PANJIM: Even as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has proposed meeting of an all party delegation on the Mhadei issue in Delhi, the Opposition has come down heavily on the government for its laid back attitude on Goa’s lifeline.
Opposition legislators and activists under the banner Save Goa held a ‘rasta roko’ at Porvorim wherein a memorandum was also presented to Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavalekar demanding to ensure that Goa’s rights over Mhadei waters are not compromised.
Opposition Leader says its important to meet PM
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, at a press conference, reiterated his demand to summon a one-day special Assembly Session to discuss the subject. “I had made two demands, one for a one-day assembly session and the other to lead an all-party delegation to Delhi. My demands are supported by other political parties including the GFP. Now that we are informed that CM will lead all-party delegation to Delhi. However, I still feel that if he (CM) had to summon a one-day session, it would have helped him better,” he said.
Emphasizing that Congress is supportive of the govt to protect Mhadei; Kamat opined that unanimous resolution of all the MLAs through the assembly session should be the priority. “People should not think that there is no unanimity. Mhadei is the lifeline of Goa and it is also important to call on the Prime Minister,” he added.
All party delegation meeting an eyewash: GFP
Former Dy CM and Goa Forward Party (GFP) President Vijai Sardesai cited that the proposed meeting is a mere eyewash but committed to be a part of the delegation to the capital.
“I will participate in the all party delegation to see what exactly the Goa government is presenting before Union Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar. It is however pointless to meet Javadekar because he is the same person who had given environment clearance to Kalsa Banduri project,” he told reporters.
Khaunte says CM should be sacked if can’t meet PM
Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte also slammed the govt and demanded that Sawant should step down as the CM if he fails to get appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the crucial issue. He echoed Sardesai’s views that meeting with Javdekar would not serve the purpose.
AAP questions need for the meeting wtih Centre
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the all party delegation is to cover up failure on Mhadei.
“All party delegations in the past such as on mining issue or even for special status to Goa did not yield any result. The CM is suggesting one on Mhadei, to cover up his government’s failure in safeguarding interest of Goa. For BJP, the party is above State,” said AAP General Secretary Pradeep Padgaonkar, while adding that the present situation, was forced upon Goa by the BJP government at the Centre. He further questioned the need for such a delegation when the BJP has their government at both the Centre and the State, which are competent enough to take proper decisions. He added that for the BJP, a larger State like Karnataka always mattered more in terms of electoral politics. He also accused the three Goa MPs of only enjoying the comforts of office and remaining as mute spectators.
“By hiring others from time to time, BJP from a mere 13 MLAs is the biggest party in Goa. So delegates going to Delhi are essentially of one party, which is out to finish the last of what is left in Goa” Padgaonkar added.
