the goan I network
MARGAO
Call it the Aam Aadmi Party’s style of managing contradictions, or simply an attempt to bridge the North-South divide, the new entrant in Goa’s political landscape may soon have in the list of party candidates two activists from North and South Goa “ both espousing diametrically opposite views on the contentious issue of Mopa airport.
If AAP has already announced Devendra Prabhudesai’s candidature “ a staunch and ardent Mopa supporter -- for the Mandrem Assembly constituency, indications emanating from the AAP camp reveal that strong anti-Mopa protagonist Sidharth Karapurkar may be party’s candidate either for Margao or Navelim seat.
That Karapurkar’s candidature is seriously considered in AAP’s circles has become clearly evident as he has quit the Fr Eremito Rebello-led Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) organization to contest the coming election on the AAP banner.
The Goan understands that Karapurkar’s candidature is being seriously considered by AAP leaders either for the Margao seat or neighbouring Navelim constituency given the role played by him as an activist in Navelim over the years.
So far, AAP has not come out with a clear-cut policy on Mopa and the issue may come to haunt the party in the run up to the 2017 polls. Given the emerging development with pro and anti Mopa protagonists now under consideration for the party ticket, Goans for Dabolim Only has fired a salvo at AAP.
GFDO convenor Fr Eremito Rebello has demanded to know from the AAP leadership the party’s policy on Mopa airport. “I am surprised that a hard-core Mopa supporter Devendra Prabhudesai is AAP’s candidate for the Mandrem seat. And, I am equally surprised that an anti-Mopa activist from down South is also in contention. What then is AAP’s policy on the airport issue for Goa?” Fr Eremito demanded to know.
When The Goan asked Karapurkar to shed light on the airport row and whether AAP has succeeded in managing the contradictions, he said the politicians have divided the people into North and South. “I am of the firm view that Dabolim airport is geographically in the north of Goa. Moreover, around 70 per cent of the tourists, who land at the Dabolim airport also go to places in the north such as Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna etc.,” he said.
Asserting that politicians have fooled the people of Goa, he said, “We should be smart by now not to get fooled any more. We should overcome this divide and be united so that Goa can progress.”
AAP Goa Convenor Rajshree Nagarsekar said the party will come out with a policy on the airport issue after due deliberations. “We have two stakeholders now in the party, both espousing divergent views. Together, we will forge a consensus and work out a solution for the overall good of Goa,” she said.
Rajshree, however, asserted that while the party will take all stakeholders into confidence before unveiling it’s airport policy, the party will take up the issue of farmers displaced by the land acquisition and also inquire to find out the extent of the land scam under the guise of a new international airport.
AAP has already announced Devendra Prabhudesai’s candidature “ a staunch and ardent Mopa supporter -- for the Mandrem Assembly constituency
Sidharth Karapurkar’s candidature is being seriously considered by AAP leaders either for the Margao seat or neighbouring Navelim constituency
