OLD GOA
Even as opposition is brewing against the Nauxim marina project, two separate movements appear to be planned against the project, one by Goemkars Against Marina (GAM) and the other by RGP MLA Viresh Borkar under the RGP banner.
The movement by GAM will be launched on Sunday at 10.30 am as a meeting has been convened with residents of Nauxim, surrounding villagers, social workers, representatives of political parties, among others.
The other movement will be launched by MLA Borkar who, on Saturday, created awareness among the Nauxim locals to participate in the meeting on Monday at 4.30 pm.
The two separate movements is reminiscence of the parallel movements in the past, which were backed by GAM and RGP respectively. The RGP was, however, not a registered political party at that time.
When asked if he was going the separate way, MLA Borkar said he was unaware of any meeting organised by GAM.
“I have not received any intimation from GAM about the Sunday meeting. Also, my meeting was finalised only after consultation with villagers, who sought the meeting on Monday being Dussehra festival,” Borkar informed, while stating that the festival signifies that truth prevails.
When questioned whether it would not lead to division among villagers and weaken the agitation, Borkar replied: “Everybody has a right to hold their own agitations as long as the objective is the same.”
Asked if a clash of ego was preventing the two movements from taking a common path, Borkar said he did not have any ego.
“If I had ego, I would not be supporting the other Opposition parties in opposing decisions detrimental to the Goans,” the MLA added.
GAM leader Ramrao Wagh, however, said holding split movements would definitely affect the agitation as the people would then get divided.
“It has happened in other agitations. MLA Borkar should have taken the lead in the agitation as he is not only a RGP MLA but MLA of the entire constituency,” Wagh said.
“Also, the issue doesn’t affect Nauxim alone but other villages like Sancoale and Chicalim. So, there is a need of a bigger participation for the agitation with backing from all over Goa,” Wagh stated.
When questioned why the MLA was not invited for the GAM meeting on Sunday, Wagh said that GAM convenor Adv Suresh Palkar has already intimated the MLA about the same.
“In fact, the MLA was added to the social media group wherein the message of the meeting was posted,” Wagh added.
To another question, Wagh said their meeting would create awareness on the marina project and outline the reasons why it should not be allowed in Nauxim.
“There are many people who are still not aware of the project and our meeting intends to educate them on the issue. And for that meeting, everybody including those who are supporting the project are invited," he said.
On his part, Adv Palkar said he spoke to the local RGP panch about the Sunday meeting and asked her to inform the MLA whether it would be convenient for him to attend.
“I was informed that the MLA is preoccupied,” Palkar said.
Palkar said theirs is a non-political movement and they will not support any other movement which is launched under the banner of any political party.
