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REFLECTIONS: SOIRIKEN KAZAR 
by Domnic Fernandes
Yes, he should expose Congress
65% (146 votes)
No, Congress should penalise him
31% (69 votes)
Can't Say
4% (9 votes)
Total votes: 224
(A poll conducted online by www.oheraldo. in)
Will South Goa MP Churchill Alemao quit the Congress if the Government goes ahead with the Mopa airport or is it a wild threat?
Yes
46% (62 votes)
No
51% (69 votes)
Can't Say
2% (3 votes)
Total votes: 134
___________
Link
Articles from The Navhind Times
Churchill convenes convention of Cong workers from S Goa
NT News Service
Margao, Sept 9: Expressing displeasure over the functioning of his own party’s government in the state, the South Goa MP, Mr Churchill Alemao, has called for a convention of Congress workers from South Goa on September 23, in Margao, to chalk out future course of action, in an apparent bid to consolidate his position.
Launching a direct attack on the Congress party at a press conference, here today, Mr Alemao said: “I am unhappy with the present government in Goa. I had promised my voters that I would get the Mopa airport project scrapped and ensure the proper functioning of the public distribution system. My promises could not be kept due to non-cooperation of the Congress party.”
He further said that he was fully committed to the cause of Konkani and that he fully endorsed the demand for recognition of Roman script. “There is however a delay in certain quarters to give Roman script its due recognition,” he said adding that he wanted to place all his grievances before workers and apprise them of the situation.
Declaring that important issues will be discussed at the convention, he said that he had always fought for the cause of down-trodden and alleged that the government had not solved the issue of taxi operators.
Mr Alemao alleged that the government was trying to please the migrants by giving them free land. He said that the interest of Goans was being overlooked and the government was only concerned about the well being of the migrants. He also alleged that there was a rise in criminal activities due to the unchecked flow of migrants into the state and the interest of Goans was being compromised.
Mr Alemao alleged
that the Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsingh Rane, was working under pressure from certain quarters and that he does not enjoy full freedom while taking decisions. When asked by a reporter on whether he would stake claim for the Congress ticket at the forthcoming assembly elections, Mr Alemao replied, “Who cares?”
He said his people are important for him and they will decide about his ticket. He did not rule out the possibility of distributing tickets to others if situation arose.
Mr Alemao lamented that there was infighting within the Congress. He alleged that the Cuncolim Industrial Estate pollution issue was being sought to be blown out of proportion possibly at the instigation of some Congress
leaders from South Goa.
-----
Churchill to go ahead with Sept 23 meet
NT News Service
Margao, Sept 14: Defying the directive of the Congress party’s central leadership, the South Goa MP, Mr Churchill Alemao today said that he would go ahead with his planned meeting of South Goa Congress workers to be held on September 23 and dared the leadership to remove him if it felt that he was indulging in wrong
activities.
Talking to `The Navhind Times’, Mr Alemao said that nobody could stop him from organising the Congress workers convention. He observed that he was elected by voters and it was their right to know as what he was doing. He said that his one-point programme is scrapping of Mopa airport and his fight would continue further.
He appealed his workers not to get misguided and carried away by false propaganda being spread by a section of Congress leaders in Goa. Spelling out the reasons for convening the September 23 meeting, he pointed out that he had made four major promises to the people, and none of them has been fulfilled due to
non-cooperation of a section of the Congress leaders in Goa. He revealed that he wants to keep all these facts before the workers who elected him. He said he wants to discuss important issues affecting people, and issues related to son of the soil. Therefore, he said, he has convened the meeting of the workers from South Goa on September 23 in Margao at 4 p.m.
Mr Alemao stated that he is a Congressman. Even if someone wants him to leave the party he would not do so. ``Let them remove me from the party if they feel that what I am doing is wrong,’’ he said. The South Goa MP alleged that some of the Congress leaders are getting uncomfortable at him for being active in the
Congress.
Why are they using the high command and the all-India Congress committee secretary in-charge, Ms Margaret Alva’s name in spreading false propaganda, he asked. He said that if some people feel that he should be divested of all responsibilities of the party wing they are welcomed to do so. Let them deal with me the way they want, he said adding that he would be always with the people.
Mr Alemao disclosed that neither the high command nor the secretary in-charge of Goa desk has spoken to him on any matter. The central leadership is not aware of what is happening within the Congress in Goa. He claimed that nobody has complained to central
leadership of the party, alleging that false propaganda is being spread to spoil his image. He observed that Churchill is capable of facing up to anybody and that nobody can damage his image.
He said, ``People know me and my contribution . I am fighting to give justice to sons of soil and nobody can stop me from taking steps in the interest of the people.’’
On the script controversy, the South Goa MP said that he was fully committed to the cause of Konkani, and endorsed the demand for recognition of Konkani in Roman script. He felt that a delay has been made in certain quarters in according official status to Roman script.
-----
From the REDIFF on the Net Archives:
'Is the Congress left with any face to talk about criminals in politics?
Churchill Braz Alemao. 
A decade ago, the name and the image it conjured was unsavoury. Today, he is the hero of the people, the political saviour of Goa.
His love for football is legendary. His football teams - Churchill Brothers and Varca Sports Club - are among the toughest teams in the country. He takes an equal interest in dhirio,Goa's traditional bullfights. His generosity ensures that no one leaves his home in Varca empty-handed and he is believed to be have more concern for the needy than many Goa
politicians.
And yet it is said his name figures prominently in the federal home ministry's list of unsavoury characters. His brother Alvernaz was killed by a customs officer some years ago, allegedly while carrying smuggled gold, on the day his friends and relatives were preparing to attend his youngest brother Kennedy's wedding.
In 1990, within 75 days of entering the state assembly, Alemao toppled Pratapsing Rane's Congress government, formed a coalition with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and became Goa's first Catholic chief minister.
In the 1994 assembly election, his United Goans Democratic Party won only three seats, but built a following among lower caste Catholics, traditionally a Congress vote bank.
Two years later, despite being detained along with his brother in a gold smuggling case, he was elected to Parliament from South Goa, defeating
former federal minister Eduardo Faleiro who had represented the constituency for almost twenty years.
Goa may be known for communal harmony. But politics in the beach state is clearly divided on religious lines. Churchill Alemao is perhaps the first Catholic leader who has successfully made a breakthrough in Hindu areas.
Sandesh Prabhudesai met him at the Goa Renaissance. Excerpts from the conversation:.
You were once branded an anti-national because of your alleged smuggling activities. Why do you think the people, who once abused you thus, have now reposed faith in you?
Who told you I am a smuggler ? Have I been convicted for smuggling? It's a clear-cut political conspiracy. They knew Churchill's mobilising power and
sincerity. That's why they tried to mislead the people by branding me a smuggler. They even put me behind bars. But they didn't succeed. The truth has prevailed.
If this is not the truth, then why did you tell tall stories about your life?
These are not tall stories. It's a bitter truth the way I lived and came up. I have no regret that I was a dropout at 16. We were six brothers and I am the eldest. To fight poverty I started washing utensils at a village tea shop. Then I joined the Goa Shipyard as a casual labourer on a daily wage of Rs 5. The technicians used to stand on me, sometimes for hours together, using me as a ladder.
Then I went to Bombay in 1966, working as a helper for parties held in five star hotels, including the Taj. I even worked as a welder in a mill, earning Rs 1,000 per month. But I had to rush back to Goa as the work made me critically ill. I then boarded a ship as a sailor, starting on a monthly salary of Rs
250. I worked there for 15 years, with which I bought my first fishing trawler, It brought me a fortune. Telling this to the people helps them come closer to me.
Goa's Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane says no criminal, including a smuggler, should be allowed to contest elections. It's obvious he is talking about you.
This is the usual trick of Congressmen. Call others criminals and hide your own criminal acts. But is the Congress left with any face to talk about criminals in politics? They are the biggest criminals.
To brand me a criminal, they even detained me under COFEPOSA. But I was released without any charges being proven. I challenge you to prove that I was convicted in a single case.
I fully agree that no criminal should be allowed to contest elections. But only if they are convicted. Otherwise, anyone could be barred from contesting by filing false cases. I am confident that only the United Front government can bring these reforms. They
have no criminal elements.
What about Phoolan Devi? Would you call her a criminal?
Definitely. She has killed people. She has transformed herself now. But it cannot justify your criminal acts. It is also a fact that society forced her to become a criminal and a dacoit. But she remains a criminal as far as her past record is concerned. Transformation should not be made a criteria to contest elections.
It is said some history-sheeters have entered the Lok Sabha this time. What's your experience with them? Do you find them more humane than the others?
We are all sinners. There are many politicians in Parliament who are actually criminal in nature. See Sukh Ram. He was a god for the Congress till yesterday. What is his fate today ? There must be many such criminals sitting in the House, but they are not the branded ones. You just wait for some days. All such hidden criminals will be exposed.
You were
tipped to be a minister. But MGP MP Ramakant Khalap scored over you at the last minute. What conspired between whom, due to which you lost the opportunity?
Congress leader Sharad Pawar came to his rescue. Otherwise, everyone in Delhi knew that he was trying for a berth in the BJP government. He is known to be a communal person in Goa. But more than that, he is an opportunist. Today he is sitting in the UF government as a Congressman, with Pawar's blessings.
But you supported him during the election...
True. I helped him to defeat the Congress. But he gave a letter to the central leaders that I am a smuggler. I told them to prove it. Can there be a funeral without a dead body ? Khalap is not a person to be relied upon. He ditched me.
Do you consider H D Deve Gowda your leader?
Yes, as long as he is prime minister.
How long do you feel the UF government will survive? And whom will
you support if the government collapses?
Who knows what will happen tomorrow? Is politics a stable and reliable game? God knows whom I'll support if this government falls. But one thing is clear -- I'll neither support the BJP nor the Congress. It would be some or other component of the National Front-Left Front.
What about tourism?
How can I forget tourism ? It's a gold mine for Goans. But the government has not planned it properly. We can earn a lot of foreign exchange on it, especially if we encourage upmarket tourism. What's the use of getting masons and carpenters by charter flights? You can kill two birds in one stone if upmarket tourism is stressed upon.
We can run the state without taxing the people if enough amount of revenue is collected from the infrastructure facilities we provide the tourists.
But the five star hotel lobby is not happy with the ban on construction within 200 metres from the
High Tide Line.
I don't know what they feel. But I personally feel the ban is hampering our tourism development. Foreigners come here to enjoy our beaches. Who would like to come here if hotels are far away from the beaches? The hotels should be spread all along the coastline.
What about the casinos?
The most sensible decision of the Congress government. It'll give big relief to the locals, in terms of employment as well as taxes. The government could be run with the revenue on casinos alone. It can be diverted for development schemes. N T Rama Rao diverted funds from others schemes to sell rice for Rs 2. But with casinos, you can sell rice for Rs 2 while implementing all the schemes. It'll also provide good business for tourist taxis and 12-month employment in the hotels, without any break in the off season.
But what if the local population gets addicted to gambling?
You restrict their entry.
Don't allow any Indian unless he pays Rs 200,000 as the membership fee. Indians should not be allowed to play even on the slot machines at five star hotels if such fees are not paid.
And one more thing. The decision to have offshore casinos is useless. We should have casinos on the shore.
The Opposition calls it 'sinful money'. Does it suit our Indian traditions to make money on gambling?
What traditions you are talking about ? It's all over the world since ages. We simply make it a moralistic issue. The BJP tried to stop one-digit lotteries in Delhi on the same grounds, but the court allowed it.
They also say it would boost prostitution. It's all bogus. Our women may be poor, but not of immoral character. And they come here to gamble, not for such kind of fun. They are decent people, you know.
Is prostitution good?
Presume it is bad. But imagine if prostitution is actually banned. The militarymen
and sailors would finish our women. Sexual urge is a natural instinct. Prostitution is a remedy for it. We should not suppress such things.
They say AIDS cases will increase after casinos are allowed. It's a foolish argument. Nowadays science tells us what is TB, cancer AIDS etc. God knows for how long AIDS existed in India and how many people died of it. They are scared of rapes. But there are more cases of our own people raping Goan girls. In fact, our own people raped the hippies roaming nude on the Goa beaches.
From the www.colaco.net archives
Indian Navy - please return
Dabolim to owner
A letter from Mr. Churchill Alemao, MP to Mr. Balasaheb Patil, MP and Chairman of the Defence Standing Committee
13th September 2004
Dear Chairman,
There have been problems faced by the Airport Authority of India in the civil operations of aircrafts at Dabolim Airport.
The main problem is that the Dabolim Civil Airport has been taken over by the Indian Naval Authority. Very often restrictions are imposed by our Navy on the landing slots of foreign chartered aircrafts carrying foreign tourists.
I would like to emphasise the importance of Goa as number one on the tourist map of India. There are nearly 300 to 400 hotels and resorts from Deluxe, 5-stars to 2-3 stars and almost 6-7 lakhs Goans depend on tourist trade for their livelihood. Revenues from tourist trade benefit directly or indirectly both the Goa State and our country as a whole.
The question of shifting the Naval Base from the Dabolim Airport to Sea Bird
Naval Base, Karwar, has already been taken up separately with the Ministry of Defence, Government of India in the right earnest.
I would request the Committee to deliberate on this issue of national importance and lend their weight to the proposal of shifting the Naval Base from Dabolim Airport so that it functions as a full fledged Civil Airport without any hindrances. The example of Red Fort in Delhi is there to follow in the interest of Tourism.
I am enclosing the following documentary evidence to prove that the Dabolim
Airport is actually a Civil Airport:
1. In 1955 a decree was passed to build an airport for civil aviation.
(Portuguese Government).
2. Document showing that after 'Operation Vijay', the Civilian Airport was taken over by Defence forces only for its maintenance.
3. Documents enlists all airports in India and are classified at Civil, Defence and Private. But Goa (Dabolim Airport) does not figure at all because, conveniently they hid its actual owner so that they could manipulate the Goa Government.
4. Official Gazette of former Colonial Government proves that Dabolim was a
Civilian Airport.
5. For background purpose:- Goa being a very small state, it cannot afford to misuse, waste or part with its land resources. Defence and Central Government agencies occupy the major part of Vasco and Dabolim.
6. Some press cuttings to show why Dabolim Airport should be restored to its
civilian status and the Naval Training enclave should move to the biggest Naval Base at Sea Bird at Karwar. It must be noted that the Defence forces took over the Anjedive Island for expansion of Sea Bird Base without any compensation or benefit for Goa.
I am at your disposal for any further clarification required in this behalf.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Churchill Alemao
M.P. (Lok Sabha)
Ex-Chief Minister - Goa.
Dear Chairman,
There have been problems faced by the Airport Authority of India in the civil operations of aircrafts at Dabolim Airport.
The main problem is that the Dabolim Civil Airport has been taken over by the Indian Naval Authority. Very often restrictions are imposed by our Navy on the landing slots of foreign chartered aircrafts carrying foreign tourists.
I would like to emphasise the importance of Goa as number one on the tourist map of India. There are nearly 300 to 400 hotels and resorts from Deluxe, 5-stars to 2-3 stars and almost 6-7 lakhs Goans depend on tourist trade for their livelihood. Revenues from tourist trade benefit directly or indirectly both the Goa State and our country as a whole.
The question of shifting the Naval Base from the Dabolim Airport to Sea Bird
Naval Base, Karwar, has already been taken up separately with the Ministry of Defence, Government of India in the right earnest.
I would request the Committee to deliberate on this issue of national importance and lend their weight to the proposal of shifting the Naval Base from Dabolim Airport so that it functions as a full fledged Civil Airport without any hindrances. The example of Red Fort in Delhi is there to follow in the interest of Tourism.
I am enclosing the following documentary evidence to prove that the Dabolim
Airport is actually a Civil Airport:
1. In 1955 a decree was passed to build an airport for civil aviation.
(Portuguese Government).
2. Document showing that after 'Operation Vijay', the Civilian Airport was taken over by Defence forces only for its maintenance.
3. Documents enlists all airports in India and are classified at Civil, Defence and Private. But Goa (Dabolim Airport) does not figure at all because, conveniently they hid its actual owner so that they could manipulate the Goa Government.
4. Official Gazette of former Colonial Government proves that Dabolim was a
Civilian Airport.
5. For background purpose:- Goa being a very small state, it cannot afford to misuse, waste or part with its land resources. Defence and Central Government agencies occupy the major part of Vasco and Dabolim.
6. Some press cuttings to show why Dabolim Airport should be restored to its
civilian status and the Naval Training enclave should move to the biggest Naval Base at Sea Bird at Karwar. It must be noted that the Defence forces took over the Anjedive Island for expansion of Sea Bird Base without any compensation or benefit for Goa.
I am at your disposal for any further clarification required in this behalf.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Churchill Alemao
M.P. (Lok Sabha)
Ex-Chief Minister - Goa.
Reproduced courtesy Gaspar Almeida & Carmo Santos of the Goa Welfare Society, Kuwait with expressed permission to reproduce this letter given them by Mr. Churchill Alemao, MP (Lok Sabha)
TGF
October 14, 2004
October 14, 2004
(All archives compiled by Gaspar Almeida, www.goa-world. com)
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