If Goans don't want coal, they have to unite to dislodge govt: GFP chief
Opposition leaders showing their hands in support of the resolutions opposing coal.
MARGAO
Leaders of Opposition parties, including the Congress, Goa Forward, Aam Admi Party and the Revolutionary Goans party not only attended the mega anti-coal rally at the Lohia Maidan, but extended their support to the movement.
Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai, who attended the rally along with party functionaries, said coal will not go from Goa unless the party supporting coal is uprooted from the state. He has expressed satisfaction that the Gen Z has taken over the battle against coal, exuding confidence that the movement will be taken to the logical conclusion. “The BJP is a coal party. If the BJP does not go, coal will not go. If the people of Goa do not want coal, they have to join hands to dislodge the government”, Sardesai said.
Congress leaders led by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Party president Amit Patkar, MLAs Alton D’Costa and Carlos Alvares, besides Congress Working Committee member Girish Chodankar, South Goa district president Savio D’Silva turned up at the Lohia Maidan.
Yuri told the media that the Goyant Kollso Naka has exposed how the BJP is working to make Goa a coal hub. “Five years ago, thousands of people had turned up at Chandor to oppose coal. Now, again thousands of Goans have come at the Lohia Maidan to oppose coal. It is high time the government understands the sentiments of the people and stops coal”, he said.
Saying that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has failed to safeguard the interests of Goa and its people, Yuri said the voice of the people need to be taken to every house on the dangers posed by coal.
Aam Aadmi party Chief Amit Palekar along with party MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva, besides party leaders were also present. Palekar said the power point presentation has showed clearly the risks posed by coal handling and coal transportation to the people of Goa.
Revolutionary Goans Party Chief Manoj Parab along with party MLA Virish Borkar, who joined the rally, said the time has come for the people of Goa to join hands to dislodge the BJP government. “As a political party, we have to take the awareness against coal to the villages. Less than a year and half is left for the 2027 election. The people will get the opportunity to dislodge the BJP government and stop coal once and for all”, Parab said.
Speaking at the rally, Dr Jorson Fernandes warned about the harmful effects of coal and coal dust and made an impassioned plea to the people of Goa to unite and stop coal.
Political leaders Alina Saldanha, Prabhav Naik, Chirag Naik, Girish Chodankar, Moreno Rebello, Durgadas Kamat, Warren Alemao, besides Sarpanchas, Panch members from various villages attended the rally.
