Vijai demands Godinho's resignation, moots boycott of BJP MLAs in South Goa
Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai making a point on Centre’s plans to shut down the Dabolim airport.
MARGAO
Giving Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho a week’s time to come clear on the status of Dabolim Airport, Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai on Thursday warned of a massive agitation to protect what he termed as the symbol Goan identity.
Sardesai has demanded the immediate resignation of Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho as the MLA representing Dabolim constituency. He warned of an unprecedented agitation in South Goa to protect Dabolim from closure.
“I had warned on the floor of the House on January 16 that GMR has moved the Central government for the closure of Dabolim. In fact, I had challenged the Chief Minister to disprove me. That time, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho stood up and vowed to protect Dabolim from closure, saying both Dabolim and Mopa would function. As MLA of Dabolim, he should immediately resign because he is not fit to represent the people of Dabolim,” he demanded.
Warning that the people of Salcete and South Goa will not remain as silent spectators and watch the government shut down Dabolim, Sardesai mulled a massive agitation in South Goa after the Carnival festivities.
“We give the Chief Minister and Transport Minister one week time to come clear on Dabolim. If not, we will launch an agitation. People will boycott the BJP MLAs from South Goa. PWD Minister Digambar Kamat should come clear on Dabolim because when he was Chief Minister, he had avoided closure of Dabolim. In the interest of national security, the Centre and the Navy should not grab Dabolim, which is the symbol of Goan identity,” he said.
The Goa Forward chief said he is confident the people of Goa will teach the double engine government a befitting lesson in the upcoming Assembly election.
