the goan I network
MARGAO
Kick-starting his campaign a day after the Congress nominated him for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat, three-time former MP Francisco Sardinha harped on sensitive issues such as the mining crisis, the controversial CRZ notification and pollution to take the battle in the BJP camp.
Even as he claimed support from political leaders across the political spectrum, Sardinha tried to silence critics who have raised the bogey of Mopa airport, saying his track record would reveal that he was instrumental in getting the Centre’s sanction for Rs 500 crore to upgrade the Dabolim airport and ensure that the airport is not shut down even though Mopa may be designed as the airport for the future.
Sardinha descended at his Curtorim residence on early Tuesday morning as his supporters assembled to hail his nomination for the South Goa ticket and offer their support.
Taking time off to interact with the media, the former MP exuded confidence that he would get support from people across parties in his election.
Citing the mining imbroglio, CRZ and pollution as the main issues in the ensuing polls, Sardinha was clear that the Congress would not let the BJP go scot-free on the mining crisis. “The Congress government did not shut down the mining in the State. On the contrary, the Congress has encouraged mining because we care for the livelihood of the people,” he said.
Sardinha then reminded the media how former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar fooled the people by raising the bogey of illegal mining which led to the defeat of the Congress party in 2012 Assembly poll. “Parrikar went around the State claiming of illegal mining to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore. People were upset as Parrikar succeeded in portraying a picture that Congress looted the State and defeated the party. But, Parrikar later said the illegal mining resulted in a loss of only Rs 350 crore,” he said.
Asserting that Goa needs mining, the Congress candidate said he would initiate whatever steps required to resume mining in the State if elected to Parliament.
With paucity of time staring at the Congress campaign with the party leadership delaying in unveiling the names of candidates, the former MP disclosed plans to visit each and every Assembly segments. “In Lok Sabha elections, house visits are ruled out, but the Congress will hold one meeting in each of the 20 Assembly segments of South Goa Lok Sabha constituency,” he added.
To a question, Sardinha said he would not come out with his own manifesto, saying that he would carry forward the party manifesto across the constituency. “My personal manifesto is simple, that I will attend to the difficulties and problems of my constituents. I had been an MP thrice and I had been with my constituents to resolve their issues,” he added.
Dabolim airport will exist forever even if Mopa becomes a reality: Former MP
MARGAO: With his critics raising the bogey of Mopa airport via the social media, the former three-time MP said he had ensured that Dabolim will exist forever even if Mopa becomes a reality in the future by getting Rs 500 crore from the Centre for the upgradation of the existing airport.
“During my tenure as MP, I had got the Centre to sanction Rs 500 crore for the upgradation of the Dabolim airport. This has ensured Dabolim will exist forever irrespective whether it becomes a reality or not,” Sardinha told the media.
Saying that Goa will require another airport at Mopa in the future after 30-40 years, Sardinha said even if Mopa becomes a reality, Dabolim will not be shut down. “I had given a promise that Dabolim will remain forever, irrespective of Mopa. I am confident that Mopa will not even be commissioned without the completion of the north-south highway linking the new airport in the future,” Sardinha said, in an apparent reference to his critics who has attacked him for his role in the airport at Mopa.
