Saying that it is for the State government to handle the opposition to the DefExpo at Betul, Union Defense Minister, Manohar Parrikar on Sunday has appealed to the skeptics to wait till March 31 to comment on the Expo and take a call whether the state should play host to the DefExpo or not.
Parrikar further said he would take the opinion of the political parties, including the NCP and the GVP, to shift the DefExpo to Mopa, after the expo is held at Betul. He made it clear that the Defense does not want the land, but exuded confidence that even the skeptics will say let the DefExpo be in Goa and that state should not lose the opportunity.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of his visit to Fisheries Minister, Avertano Furtado at Sinquetim to wish the Navelim MLA on his 50th birthday on Sunday noon, the Defense Minister said small hotels in the areas of Curchorem, Cuncolim and Quepem are all jam packed because of the DefExpo. “Hotel owners have been shouting there’s not much business. If the DefExpo gives them some business, let them take it”, he said.
Asked to comment on statements made by the NCP and GVP to take the Expo to Mopa, Parrikar shot back “let this first happen and then I will call everyone for their opinion. We don’t want the land, but after the Expo happens, they will say keep the Expo here. Let them see for themselves what’s this Expo means and then take a call”.
Asked how he intends to handle opposition to the DefExpo, Parrikar said it is for the state government to handle. He, however, hastened to add saying “I don’t think there’s much opposition now after clarification and clarity. The local people are now supporting the expo. They are very happy. Those who are still skeptical, let them wait till March 31 to see for themselves and give their opinion. After March 31, let them take a call and tell me whether Goa needs the Expo or not”
Asked whether the ongoing agitation is political, Parrikar replied in the negative, while attributing the opposition to misunderstanding and rumours. “There may be some people who are opposing the DefExpo because of misunderstanding. Various rumours are floated around. Some people projected the DefExpo as something different. There are others who have mixed up issues. That’s why I am saying, beyond April 15, there will be nothing on the site. And, after March 31, let people comment on the Expo and then I will consider their comments as more matured with experience”, he said.
Replying to another question, Parrikar said only those who have visited the DefExpo in the past, including the media, know what exactly is the Expo. “As of now, those who are opposing don’t know what the Expo is all about”, he added.
