from Daijiworld's special correspondent
Panaji, Apr 16: Come April 18 and it will be Congress versus Congress in Goa.
While North Goa Congress leaders have chalked out rail and road bandh in favour of the project, the same day will have South Goa leaders addressing mammoth rally in the district to oppose it. Both the moves are spearheaded by Congress leaders.
"We will paralyse all linkages between North and South Goa. Let people from South goa realize that they cannot survive without north Goa," roared Congress legislator Jitendra Deshprabhu, who is also a Congress legislative party spokesman.
Speaking to media from his residence at Pernem, this legislator, who commands seniority in the party set-up, said that Mopa will be a reality and any plans opposing will not succeed. "Some politicians can't compromise state's interests for their own gains," Deshprabhu said without mentioning any specific names.
Deshprabhu, however, was vociferous in rubbishing member of parliament (south) Churchill Alemao-led anti-Mopa campaign in the state. "Alemao should be sacked from the party for his stand. He is playing into the hands of the south Goa hotel lobby," he alleged.
Alemao, on the other hand, has been spilling the beans on his own party colleagues during his 15-odd anti-Mopa public meetings he has addressed. "Deshprabhu is talking this language only because he will earn Rs 400 crores in the form of property dealings once airport is operational," Alemao said.
This MP, who was under shadow in operation Yamraj covering MPLAD scheme scam, said that he would not mind leaving congress party for the cause. "High command is well informed about my stand," he said.
As the rift between congressmen would be imminent on April 18, the chief minister pratapsingh rane would be left with the job of troubleshooting. Rane, who heads the Mopa feasibility study committee constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will be under severe pressure to bridge differences within the party. The Goa Pradesh Congress committee president Ravi Naik, has preferred to keep mum on the issue.
L'Affaire Mopa: Daijiworld Coverage