The turbulence over the Mopa airport continues. But, this time, it is over a name. While the MGP passed a resolution and Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar demanded naming the airport after Goa's first chief minister and MGP leader Dayanand Bandokar, names have been floating thick and fast. Former Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao put forth the name of Jack Sequeira, popularly known as the "Father of Opinion Poll", a leader at the forefront of the Statehood struggle, while a section of the BJP rooted for the late Manohar Parrikar, a leader who is synonymous with Goa's development. There are at least half-a-dozen other names doing the rounds on social media making a mockery of this 'name game'.
It is appalling that political leaders and parties are jostling over names of Mopa airport in a conscious effort to gain political mileage and attention, ignoring the more prominent issues in the frame. The reality is that the debate over names is not leading anywhere. Even though the MGP is part of the BJP-led government and Dhavalikar is a senior minister, the ball will be in the court of the Central leadership. Sawant has stated that the Union Civil Aviation Ministry will decide on the naming.The question is, why has naming the airport become a priority over everything else? Why did parties not raise questions all this while or even while work was in progress? Why now? While battling over names, crucial and allied issues that affect Goans are being sidelined. When Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recently went on an inspection to the airport, he was blocked at the entrance by furious locals seeking answers on pending works in the village and employment for locals. The CM had to beat a retreat, go to the local MLA Pravin Arlekar's house, bring him to the site, and appease the crowd.
The locals claimed that only 8 per cent of jobs were given to them against the earlier towering promises. There is frustration brewing over employment, and the light at the end of the tunnel is nowhere in sight. Against the hurried pace of work, questions are being raised over safety and compliance. Yet, surprisingly, these issues are relegated to the back burner, and we see a needless tussle over naming the airport. Political goalposts have shifted to seek individual relevance, and the issues of the common man remain blurred.
There's no harm in making known one's mind or preference of name, but pursuing it vigorously and ignoring everything around shows selfish political opportunism, nothing else. If political parties or leaders need to stand up, it is not for naming Mopa but for the greater good of all who have sacrificed their livelihoods for this project. A name will not change their fortunes, and neither will it ease the hardships they are enduring.
It's time to stop this name game and focus on the people of Pernem and those living with an element of uncertainty.
