MARGAO
Suspecting that the BJP Executive adopted resolutions in support of the three linear projects ahead of the ensuing Municipal polls as part of a game plan, anti-coal protestors and organizations fighting against the controversial projects sounded a bugle on Wednesday, announcing they will play a strategic and critical role in the ensuing civic polls keeping in mind the important aspects of saving Goa.
Given that the ruling party used the Zilla Panchayat election results as a mandate in favour of the controversial linear projects, the activists have asserted that they too know how to play the game.
While these activists and organizations have ruled out direct involvement in the ensuing polls, they, however, asserted that they will definitely play a critical role in the coming elections. “When Zilla Panchayat results were out, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant went to the town claiming credit in favour of these projects. Keeping in mind the lies and deception the Chief Minister had adopted in the past, we also know to pay the game”, thundered Goench Ekvott co-convenor, Capt. Viriato Fernandes at a media briefing on Wednesday.
“We will strategically decide how to influence the people in the ensuing elections keeping in mind the important aspects of saving Goa. We will be assessing who is contesting the elections and whether they have interests of the people of the State and accordingly request and guide the people to vote for”, he said.
Asked how would they deal with a situation as the activists run the risk of losing the battle in the event the ruling party manage to win the civic polls and use it as a mandate in support of the linear projects, Capt. Viriato said the activists and organization will cross the bridge when it comes.
Canacona-based activist Vikas Bhagat said the ruling BJP has added salt to injury by passing a resolution at the Sstate executive in support of the three linear projects when the people of Goa are on the streets fighting to save the environment and the State.
Warning that the people of Goa are not wearing bangles, Bhagat said people fighting to save the state and its environment will move door to door in small groups in the coming Municipal and Assembly to voice their opposition against the linear projects. “By passing the resolution, you want to send a message that the people fighting to save the environment are fools. We will expose the BJP from various mediums and channels”, he said.
Swapnesh Sheldekar said the time has come to teach a lesson to the BJP in the ensuing polls. “The BJP think that people of Goa will dance to their tunes if given the money. We want to tell the ruling party that money is not everything and the people will decide in the Municipal polls”, he added.
Capt. Viriato said the most shocking move which has hurt the sentiments of the people of Goa was the reported resolutions moved by senior BJP functionary, Damu Naik in supporting the three linear projects through Goa to establish the coal corridor. “Such insensitive move goes to show that these politicians know the art of adding insult to injury. Despite the constituency Fatorda coming directly in the ambit of coal dust, Damu Naik’s ill-conceived move shows either arrogance or sheer stupidity in teasing the people of Fatorda and Margao”, he added.
