the goan I network
MARGAO
Sounding a warning to TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai not to bulldoze with his Borda multi-purpose project at the cost of the cricket and coco grounds, a group of citizens led by AICC Secretary Girish Chodankar has demanded that the MLA unveil his developmental plan on the government multi-purpose grounds by taking all the people into confidence.
Besides Girish, the media was addressed by cricket coach Shaumit Angle, Sidhanath Buyao and Parag Raikar. They made it clear that they are not against any plan to upgrade the football ground, but opposed any plans to shelve the cricket and coco grounds, which had shaped the career of many budding cricketers and coco players over the decades.
In his address, Girish accused the TCP minister for not being ready to engage with the people who have raised their doubts on the development of the multi-purpose ground. “Don’t do dadagiri with the people. These very people had voted for Sardesai in the last election and he is trying to suppress them by bulldozing his way,” Girish charged, saying the MLA is expected to listen to the grievances of his people in a democratic set up.
He said the fact that around 800 people have signed a memorandum to be presented to the government demanding retaining of the cricket and coco playing field goes to show that the reported plan to shelve the cricket ground is being opposed by the people at large.
Cricket coach Shaumit Angle said he has been given to understand that the government has plans to raze down the multi-purpose buildings and construct the same on the land which is being used to play cricket. “We have information that the Minister has plans to upgrade the football ground with astro turf. We have no objection to the ground but not the construction of a new multi-purpose building. Our only plea is to retain the cricket and coco grounds for the people,” Shaumit said.
Addressing the media, Sidhanath Buyao warned the TCP Minister that he will be rejected by the people of Fatorda in the next election if he tries to bulldoze with the project at the Borda multi-purpose ground.
“The TCP minister has no love for sports, but he is into cosmetic development,” he said, while saying that Sardesai should stop misguiding the people on the multi-purpose issue.
