Team herald
MARGAO: The first public meeting of Goa Public Forum, the organisation opposing Mopa airport was convened by former PWD Minister and Convenor of Goa Public Forum, Churchill Alemao. The forum with the support of a crowd of around 500 to 600 people has taken a seven point resolution at the meet. While taking a dig at his critics, Churchill in his unique style said that God must forgive the people who tried to sabotage my meeting. Radharao Gracias says airport work cannot be stopped by priests or padris, it is the work of a politician and a political movement. Churchill while speaking at the meet accused Manohar Parrikar of fooling the people of Goa just to bring down the Congress party in the State. At the offset of the meet Churchill clearly said that the meet was held to protect interest of Goans and not to score political mileage. He also claimed that letters to the churches went as public meeting to oppose Mopa airport and not as any political meet.
Senior lawyer Mike Mehta informed that Save Goa Party was merged by Churchill in Congress on the promise of then Finance Minister P Chidambaram of stopping Mopa from coming up in Goa. Mehta also claims that Congress was against Mopa and that is the reason the issue never came up during their regime.
Floriano Lobo of the Goa Su-Raj Party in very strong words said that Churchill will contest elections until he is alive and no one can stop him from doing so.
Sandeep Kamble the activist fighting against Mopa said that the land acquisition for the airport would destroy five villages in Pernem. He the movement will give justice to people.
Advocate Gracias in his speech clearly said that political change in Goa has the strength to stop Mopa as the BJP is stuck with the airport issue now. While praising Churchill Radharao said, “Churchill is not a spectator, he is a player and hence he is on the ground fighting for the cause, and we all know he has the strength to do so.”
Most of the speakers at the meet were heard providing indirect support to Churchill to make his move into a political movement. The resolution of the Goa Public Forum quite evidently shows the pathway of the movement as all the issues in Goa and India have been conveniently covered.
Activist Sandeep Kamble, Zilla Panchayat member Maria Rebello, Floriano Lobo of the Goa Su-Raj Party and tiatrist were also present at the meet.
