Anti-Mopa reverberations in Xaxtidom
Xaxtidom must have certainly come under the scanner of Manoharbhai over weeklong developments on Mopa airport. He must be a worried lot and happy too with the developments. Worried because the very same people who had ushered in the parivartan in 2012 Assembly polls are ganging up over his plans to bulldoze his way with the airport at Mopa. Manoharbhai knows for sure that sooner rather than latter there may be a clamour in Xaxtidom demanding that the ruling MLAs withdraw support to his dispensation. But, the astute CM must be a happy lot too. For, the anti-Mopa movement taking shape in Xaxtidom is a fragmented lot. First, it was Independent MLA Vijai Sardessai who came out with Goemkar to take the anti-Mopa battle to the ruling camp. But, before the movement could successfully take off, social activist and firebrand Priest, Fr Eremito Rebello has launched another movement to take the battle to its logical conclusion. That’s not all. Sulking over Fr Rebello’s decision to keep out the politicos from the movement, long-time allies ~ the Churchill-Radharao combine – have threatened to float a new platform to fight against Mopa. Their fears over Goans for Dabolim Only movement is understandable since they feel that Fr Rebello is not only close to the Alina Saldanha/BJP combine, but the movement might end up in occupying the anti-ruling space, pushing them to the background or into complete oblivion. That’s probably the reason why the irrepressible Radharao went hammer and thongs, even accusing those who want to keep out politicians from the anti-Mopa movement, as BJP agents. The battle has just begun in Xaxtidom. Wait and watch whether better sense would prevail upon Xaxti leaders to close ranks and put up a united front against Mopa.
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Mopa scare for Sardinha
It was a week when South Goa MP Sardinhbab celebrated his birthday at his Curtorim residence. He threw a birthday bash to his supporters and well wishers, even as a host of Congress leaders lined up to wish the Congress heavyweight. He played a perfect host and welcome one and all with his inimitable “ho la” style. Sources said Sardinhbab is gearing up for the coming Lok Sabha battle once again. His detractors, including the Varca strongman, may say that the Congress veteran from Curtorim may not get the party ticket, but his close aides are batting for the sitting MP. They say that as a sitting MP, Sardinhbab will get the re-nomination to contest from South Goa. And, while other Congress heavyweights are conspicuous by their absence post-2012 Assembly polls, Sardinhbab is making his presence felt across South Goa. But, even his close aides admit in private that he might find himself in a tight spot with the Fr Eremito Rebello-led Goans for Dabolim Only bracing up to launch a movement over the airport issue. Fr Rebello made no bones of his resolve to call upon Goans to defeat candidates supporting both Dabolim and Mopa in the Lok Sabha polls. Sardinhbab is one politician, who has been consistent in demanding international status for Dabolim. But, his stand and that of the Congress party that Mopa is required for the state’s future requirements, might bring him and his party face to face with the new movement. Vijaibab must be certainly pleased by the stand of Goans for Dabolim Only. Guess, why?
No safe landing for Churchill on Mopa
The defunct Save Goa Front came to haunt Varca strongman this week as he addressed the media along with his trusted lieutenant Radharao over Dabolim airport. As it turned out, Churchillbab played second fiddle, as Radharao did most of the talking, spitting venom against those out to keep politicos out of the anti-Mopa movement. The Varca strongman came under a barrage of questions as he produced newspaper cuttings that he had always opposed Mopa. But, the media was in no mood to listen to Churchillbab’s stories. They point blank questioned him what he had done to stop Mopa and why he presided over the PWD portfolio over the last five years while his government pursued Mopa. A defensive Churchillbab sought to blame Diggu, accusing the ex-CM for pushing Mopa despite his opposition. The strongman argued that he could have scrapped Mopa had Goans given a clear mandate for his Save Goa Front. But, a scribe caught him on the wrong foot, reminding Churchillbab that Goans probably did not give him the mandate to rule for the simple reason that the SGF did not contest all the 40 assembly seats in 2007. But, the Varca strongman was apparently pleased with Radharao’s outbursts against certain “preachers” even calling them as BJP agents. The Varca strongman, in private, has been sulking over the role played by religious leaders in the decimation of the Congress in the 2012 polls. It’s still unclear what the Churchill-Radharao combine is really up to. The duo has served a deadline on the Prime Minister instead of Manoharbhai to stop Mopa. Their deadline expires around May end. Untill then, keep guessing about their next move.
Marathi headache for Xaxtikars
Use of spoken Marathi by the ruling ministers, including Manoharbhai in the ongoing Assembly session, seems to have not gone down well with many a Xaxtikar. There’s been a common grievance amongst Xaxtikars that they cannot follow the Assembly proceedings when discussions take place in Marathi. Even Independent Legislator and Konkniwaddi Vijai Sardessai seems perplexed over the use of Marathi in the House. But, he has a question to ask. He has sought to know whether ruling Ministers and MLAs from the minority community can understand discussions in Marathi when Xaxtikars in general find it difficult to comprehend. The issue came in handy for Vijai to put the ruling MLAs from the minority community in a tight spot. He has questioned the stoic silence maintained by the three `Altar Boys’ from Xaxtidom and other ruling MLAs from the minority community on the issue. Long Live Konkani.
