THE GOAN: The numbers are swelling as more and more people are openly opposing the ODP and the PDA in Calangute.
MICHAEL LOBO: It’s totally wrong. A handful of people are involved in opposing the PDA. Only 95 people were present for the meeting at St Alex Church. They are the same people who did not vote for me.
TG: But now, the church has also joined in opposing the planning authority.
ML: The church had openly opposed me during the 2017 assembly election. After every mass, the priests exhorted the people not to vote for me. People in the constituency had faith in me. Both Christians and Hindus have voted for me.
TG: People are ready to move the High Court. Are you worried?
ML: The High Court has stayed the draft Calangute-Candolim ODP and told the government to finalise it. That is why we are following the procedures and finalizing the ODP.
TG: Why are you so adamant on having PDA in Calangute against people’s wishes?
ML: 95 percent of Calangute is illegal. Only PDA has powers to regularize houses.
TG: It appears Michael Lobo is increasingly becoming arrogant and fails to read the pulse of the people.
ML: I will never do that. For me, people are first. Some people who worked against me are doing that. My political opponents (read Joseph Sequeira) are spreading false things about me. If he (Joseph Sequeira) did not want PDA how did the panchayat in 2014 under his tutelage give licences to high-rise buildings in Calangute?
