VASCO
In a show of rare political unity, former minister Milind Naik, along with leaders from various political parties, councillors, and residents, opposed the upcoming Formula 4 racing event in Bogda-Mormugao.
At a public meeting in Bogda on Thursday night, leaders across party lines voiced strong objections to the event, demanding that it either be scrapped entirely or shifted to another location.
Local Bogda ward councillor Prajay Mayekar led the charge, accusing Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar of “forcing the event on residents” and acting out of “vested interests.”
“If the work doesn’t stop, the residents of Bogda will come out on the streets ” we don’t care even if cases are filed against us,” said Mayekar.
Addressing the crowd, former minister Milind Naik said that while sports should be promoted irrespective of politics, people must first be taken into confidence.
“I came here today because residents approached me, and I told them to unite and oppose the event genuinely ” not because I am against it, but because they feel strongly about it,” Naik said.
Naik also revealed that residents have already gathered around 1,000 signatures opposing the event, and the number is expected to cross 3,000 in the coming days.
“People have come together in huge numbers. I told them to show their collective will as local residents, beyond party affiliations, and that would be enough to take the issue to the highest level,” he said.
Commenting on the Chief Minister’s proposed visit, Naik said residents would prefer him to visit the race site rather than hold a meeting elsewhere. “The CM has not officially said he will come to Baina, but the MLA claims so. People now want the CM to come directly to Bogda, which is just a five-minute drive from Ravindra Bhavan. I request Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to visit the site to understand people’s objections first-hand,” Naik appealed.
He further warned that, if required, the issue would be escalated to the highest level.
“As a former minister, I can raise this issue before the CM and even before the prime minister if needed,” Naik asserted.
Also speaking at the meeting were Congress leader Nitin Chopdekar, social worker and businessman Sanjay Satardekar, several municipal councillors, and local residents ” all united in their demand that the Formula 4 race be stopped or relocated.
The meeting ended with a unanimous resolution to continue the agitation until authorities respond to the people’s concerns.
