Congress leaders demand action against Churchil for indiscipline

Panaji, Mar 4 (UNI) Goa Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Jitendra Deshprabhu and former Union Minister Ramakant Khalap today demanded ''stern disciplinary action'' against South Goa MP Mr Churchil Alemao for his outbursts on the proposed Mopa airport.

They also demanded his removal as member of the six-member Central Steering Committee on Mopa airport, appointed at the instance of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh ''as no purpose would be served with his inclusion in the committee following the outbursts''.

''It is a pity that Mr Churchil, known for doublespeak many times during his political career, had raised the airport issue in defiance of the directive by AICC president Sonia Gandhi to maintain party discipline,'' they said.

They said they would raise the issue in the GPCC meeting on Monday asking the party to take stern action against Churchil who was projecting himself as the champion of Dhabolim airport and against Mopa.

The duo also recalled the ''double standards'' adopted by Mr Churchil on the Konkani language issue and the Konkan Railway issue even as he backed the Mopa airport proposal when he was member of Parliament earlier.

All Goans, besides the Congress party and the opposition, were for both the Mopa and Dhabolim airports to cope with the galloping demand of tourist influx in future, they added.

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