MARGAO: Asserting that late Matanhy Saldanha had fought to retain Dabolim as Goa’s only international airport, Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco on Friday demanded the resignation of Environment Minister Alina Saldanha for her failure to stop the government from going ahead with Mopa and to get Special Status for Goa.
Addressing the media, Reginaldo said that Alina is aware how Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar used Matanhy’s ideals and dreams to fool Matanhy’s people during the Lok Sabha elections. “Alina should stop being a mute spectator and should tell the CM not to step in Goa till he fulfils the promise of Special Status for Goa and additional land for Dabolim airport”, he said. “Alina should not go to the Prime Minister on Special Status for the simple reasons that her Chief Minister does not listen to her on Mopa airport. What is the guarantee that Modi will listen to her on the issue”, he asked.
“If one tries to analyse the RFQ, it is quite evident that Mopa is already a Rs 2,250 crore scam. Alina tried to dance to her master’s tunes and cosy up with Mopa, complaining about Dabolim terminal deficiencies. To lure her further, the CM came out with a funny logic that he can build Mopa in two years, but can’t improve Dabolim in 10 years. When people showed their anger, Alina was forced to say that two airports are not needed for a small state of Goa, but yet she allowed the RFQ to go ahead reposing faith in the liar, who once said Matanhy favoured Mopa”, Reginaldo said.
He further said that Alina should know that unless she defeats Parrikar’s corrupt and anti-people designs, Matanhy will not approve of her work as his successor. “Instead of merely speaking out on the issue, Alina should take the people into confidence and must strive to get Mopa scrapped and force the Chief Minister get more land for the civilian airport at Dabolim”, he demanded.
When pointed out that newly elected GPCC president Luizinho Faleiro had once written letter to the centre in favour of Mopa, Reginaldo shot back saying that Faleiro might have written a letter, but all his subsequent actions indicate that he was opposed to the proposed airport at Mopa.
