Churchill-UGDP unite to make Mopa election issue
ARVIND TENGSE, MADGAO | 17 April 2013 15:58 IST
Radharao Gracias addressing media on Mopa air port
Defeated Congress heavyweight Churchill Alemao and United Goans Democratic Party have joined hands once again, this time on Mopa issue, with a clear cut agenda of making it an election issue for Lok Sabha polls.
In a joint press conference held along with Goa Suraj Party, UGDP vice president Radharao Gracias declared that they would support any candidate, who would oppose Mopa air port and serve interest of locals.
In fact he clearly stated that the group would oppose both the national parties – the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress – as both have not come out clearly on the issue of Mopa air port.
Churchill however did not speak whether he has any plans to contest Lok Sabha election.
The new political group has in fact threatened to start agitation if Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh does not intervene and stop the Mopa air port project.
The group has also cornered the South Goa-based BJP MLAs, demanding that they should withdraw support to the BJP government if they support only Dabolim air port and not Mopa.
Gracias in fact also came down heavily on the Church, alleging that the religious institution is playing mischief on the issue.
When journalists asked how Goa should accommodate increasing number of tourists which cannot be managed at Dabolim, Churchill quipped: “We do not want more tourists at the cost of local Goans.”
Though his Congress government has given a clear cut assurance to retain Dabolim air port even after Mopa air port comes up, Churchill refuses to believe his party leaders.
“Dabolim air port would close down the minute Mopa air port starts operating”, he claims.
He also asks why the Airport Authority of India has built only four aerobridges when the original plan was to construct 11.
“People are misguided on the issue of Mopa air port”, he felt.
Florian Lobo of Goa Suraj Party took late Matanhy Saldanha’s position that the Indian Navy should immediately vacate Dabolim air port as it was always a civilian air port, occupied illegally by the defense forces since Goa’ liberation in 1961.
“Mopa is nothing but backdoor merger of Goa into Maharashtra as the neighbouring state would benefit more from it than Goa”, he claimed.
When media persons asked why yet another separate group is being formed to fight the issue of Mopa, Gracias agreed that all forces should come together but did not spell out their plans in this regard.
It is suprising that Floriano Lobo who was castigating a death soul of Matanhy Saldanha soon after his death is now sharing platform with Goa biggest criminal Churchill Aleamoa and advocate Radarao Gracias....shame on u Floriano...u have sold your principle to the criminals.