Cong fears alienation over Mopa August 28, 2013
Luizinho, Shirodkar now playing a different tune keeping an eye on Lok Sabha polls GUILHERME ALMEIDA g...@herald-goa.com MARGAO: After pushing for land acquisition proposal during its rule, there’s a sudden change in stance over the airport issue by the Congress party. AICC General Secretary Luizinho Faleiro’s stand on the airport row questioning Mopa’s financial viability and feasibility for the next 20-30 years are all indications of the Congress party’s changing stance on the issue. Though land acquisition proceedings to build the new airport at Mopa were initiated during the Congress rule, signals emanating from the Congress camp now are clear ~ though land for the airport stands acquired, there ought to be no haste in pursuing Mopa at this juncture and the issue can be settled later taking into account the needs of the times. Says GPCC President Subhash Shirodkar: “The Congress might have been responsible for acquiring land for Mopa. That does not mean that the airport should come up tomorrow. The Centre has invested Rs 500 crore on upgradation of Dabolim. Around 6-7 aerobridges are being built at the airport. Let us first use this massive infrastructure at Dabolim and then analyse whether there’s a need for a second airport. Land for Mopa may have been acquired, but certainly we can wait.” Faleiro feels there’s no need for a second airport when its financial viability has been questioned by experts. “Expert reports say that two airports are not feasible for Goa. This means, the airport may not be economically viable for the next 20-30 year,” he said. Faleiro’s commitment to take up the airport issue at the Centre shows Congress’ shifting stance on the issue. “I will forcefully take up the issue with my party leadership in Delhi,” Faleiro said. The party may be accused by its detractors for changing its stance on the airport with an eye on the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, but the GPCC chief says “one needs to be realistic. You have to go by the times. At this point of time, we feel that Mopa is not required.” Incidentally, recent statements from senior Congress leaders, including South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha and Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane are indicative of the changing stance of the Congress on the issue. Congress leaders in private admit that the party cannot afford to go to the people in the Lok Sabha polls with its two-airport theory, especially in South Goa, against the backdrop of a virtual rout the party suffered in its stronghold in the 2012 polls. A senior party leader maintained that its stand on the airport issue should help them approach the electorate for votes, but would also help checkmate the BJP, especially in Salcete where party leaders leave no stone unturned to make inroads in the taluka. Says political observer and Constitutional lawyer, Adv Cleofato Almeida Coutinho: “Dabolim is an extremely emotive issue down South. People have realised that tourism economy will go down the drain. There’s a large section of people working in the Gulf and the merchant navy which uses the Dabolim airport. It’s clear the Congress has now realised that it cannot take the Dabolim issue for granted. In fact, the Congress may be justified in taking the stance, even though the land acquisition process had started during its tenure”. On the political front, he said the Congress may have been spurred to shift its stand out of fear of being further marginalised in its stronghold in Salcete and down South. It’s clear the Congress has now realised that it cannot take the Dabolim issue for granted. In fact, the Congress may be justified in taking the stance, even though the land acquisition process had started during its tenure