Mopa airport stuck like a bone in the throat for politicos (ToI)

Mopa airport stuck like a bone in the throat for politicos Murari Shetye, TNN | Jun 4, 2013, 05.30 AM IST PANAJI: The issue of Mopa airport is like a bone stuck in the throat of the two major political parties, BJP and Congress as the Lok Sabha elections draw near. Both parties are confused as to how to go ahead with the issue, which has rejuvenated the political aspirations of former PWD minister Churchill Alemao. But the dark horse is Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai who is leading the agitation under the banner of 'Goemkar'. Congress party is studying the impact of Mopa on the common man before making any statement on the issue. Leaders of the Congress party are studying how much water and electricity will be consumed by the airport. "We are conducting the study. Once the study is completed, we will hold a meeting to discuss the party's stand on the Mopa-Dabolim issue," Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Subhash Shirodkar said. But, Congress leaders are busy in countering each other's statements on Mopa, even a few leaders have changed their earlier stances. Congress leader Ramakant Kalap wants both airports. Alemao, who formed the Save Goa Front to oppose Mopa, had changed his stance when he merged his party with the Congress, and now again, he strongly opposes Mopa. "Leaders are making statements based on their political equations," said a senior Congress leader. BJP has been very cautious in making any statement on the airport controversy. BJP president Vinay Tendulkar said, "We have not changed the party stand and the party wants both the airports." Chief minister Manohar Parrikar has played a card of an exchange offer. Parrikar has said that he will raise the issue with the Prime Minister that Dabolim should be retained as a civilian airport and the Indian Navy should be shifted to Mopa. Goa Vikas Party (GVP) supremo Francisco 'Mickky' Pacheco said his party only supports Dabolim airport and they don't talk about Mopa airport. "At present, the airport issue is not clubbed with the Lok Sabha elections, if the issue is prolonged, then both issues can get together," he added. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Nilkanth Halarnkar said the NCP is supporting both the airports. " 500 crore has already been spent on the upgradation of the Dabolim airport. The process for Mopa airport has been on for the last 10 years. So, that is why both airports should remain," he said. Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) president Pandurang 'Deepak' Dhavalikar said MGP is for Mopa airport. "We need infrastructure to come up in Goa so that tourism is proper. After delaying for the last 10 years, finally land acquisition has been completed and we should go ahead with the project," he said. But then he added that the Mopa-Dabolim issue is just a political issue and "MGP supports both airports in Goa." Fatorda MLA Sardesai said, "We will not support any candidates who support the two-airport theory, just to keep both sides happy. At the right time, we will make our candidate's choice." Sardesai alleged that Mopa airport is a BJP-Congress joint venture.