Pernem taxi drivers threaten to oppose BJP over airport taxi counter closure

Panaji: Upset with directions to shut down the blue cab pre-paid taxi counter at the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, the taxi drivers of Pernem threatened to work against BJP in the coming elections. BJP workers criticise local MLA Pravin Arlekar and state govt for not addressing the demands of the taxi drivers.

“This govt can waive off GMR’s dues of Rs 200-250 crore, but why can’t the amendment be made in the assembly for our benefit? They need to think whether they want this vote bank from Pernem. When elections come, we will tell people that this is how BJP govt harassed us,” said a taxi operator from Pernem.

The taxi drivers held a meeting with Arlekar and govt officials to convey their concerns. While officials from GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) were called for the meeting with the mamlatdar, no representative showed up.

The taxi drivers said that despite multiple appeals to Arlekar and chief minister Pramod Sawant, they continued to face harassment at the hands of GGIAL. “My support and the CM’s support is there with the taxi operators. There is no need to be afraid,” said Arlekar.

The strongest backlash came from former BJP Pernem mandal president, Tulsidas Gawas, who slammed BJP top brass for ignoring the taxi operators. “Can it be that for two years there was no follow-up on this issue? Govt and MLA are ours. Govt at the Centre is ours, and yet we cannot get this issue resolved? If the MLA took a clear stand, then this would not have happened,” said Gawas.