VASCO
Former Environment Minister and senior BJP leader Rajendra Arlekar on Sunday evening said that people must not oppose developmental projects in the state and that it was wrong to oppose any and every project in the state.
Arlekar was speaking to reporters after a function organised by Goa Ayurvedic Medical Association ( GAMA ) at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina.
“All these linear projects through the Western Ghats are not recent but a lot of discussion has happened on these for a very long time. These are developmental projects and I am wondering if some people are habitual in their opposition. Same type of people who had opposed the Konkan Railway project years ago are involved in opposing these projects. I feel that there is an anti-development lobby behind these protests,” Arlekar said.
“Not as a former environment minister but even as a normal citizen I feel that there has to be development. It is to be found out whether those opposing the projects are knowledgeable. Just because some lobby is opposing, people must not follow it blindly.”
“The CM has also answered questions and addressed the issue in detail. People must understand the side of the Government and see how best things can be done without much harm,” he added.
Commenting on Cortalim BJP MLA Alina Saldanha’s stand of opposing the projects, he said that BJP leaders and the Sawant have already begun explaining to her about the project benefits.
Meanwhile, Arlekar said he was confident that the newly appointed Goa desk in-charge C T Ravi would help strengthen the party in Goa further and there will be no differences on Mhadei.
