VASCO
Goa Forward Party supremo Vijai Sardesai alongside members of the opposition including Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Saligao Jayesh Salgaonkar, Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar, and BJP's Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha gathered to meet the Mormugao Deputy Collector with regards to the land acquisition under Railways Act 1989 opposing the double-tracking of the railway line.
Speaking to reporters, Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai said: “We are gathered here as one team Goa against this anti-Goan team BJP, united to oppose the double-tracking with all of Goa on our side.”
The GFP chief lashed out against the government approach accusing the government of “taking a supari from corporates.” Sardesai said that “in Goa’s 60th year of liberation, Sawant is taking us back to the Salazar era."
Sardesai asserted that the BJP-led government is adamant about getting the double tracking prodouble-trackingd by hook or crook for Adani.
"All the landlords who are losing their land are Goans. Corporates were not Goans, so why is Chief Minister Pramod Sawant giving them so much love. Is this Swayumpurna Goa or Swayumpurna Adani?” asked Sardesai.
The GFP chief further questioned why the government is abusing the pandemic act. Sardesai claimed that the government is using the act the way it wants and highlighted that they have not sought any form of legal advice. Vijai asked “what is the rush to complete the land acquisition.”
The group of opposition MLAs object to the double-tracking of the railway line and expressed concern on the role and approach of the deputy collector.
Sardesai claimed that the deputy collector has been brought in to clear the way for Adani.
Taking a jibe at the BJP-government, Sardesai said, “Sawant is taking inspiration from Gujarat. Yesterday we saw the Adani end at the Narendra Modi stadium, the CM now wants to build the Adani end from Vasco through double-tracking.”
Sardesai said “the Railways Act has been brought into the picture for land acquisition to help Adani, this is not development by consent of the people”
The GFP chief stated that he and the opposition members would raise the issue of double-tracking during the upcoming assembly session. Sardesai also warned that the present government will not last beyond 2022, and all officers doing 'chamchagiri' will be taken to task.
