Any change at Dabolim Airport will not be acceptable to people of Goa: Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI / GOA:The proposed move by the BJP-led Central Government to sell Dabolim Airport in South Goa has drawn fierce political resistance, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) warning that the plan threatens the region’s economic backbone. Throwing his weight behind the people-led “Save Dabolim” campaign, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal expressed solidarity with Goans fighting to protect the airport, framing the battle as one to safeguard livelihoods and prevent the steady transfer of public assets into private hands.

Taking to X, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated: “The BJP government at centre is planning to convert Dabolim exclusively for defence purposes. Dabolim acts as a lifeline for South Goa. This is not acceptable to the people of Goa. We will fight to keep Dabolim continue for civil purposes.”

Senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh stated, “The BJP government sitting at the Centre wants to sell every part of the country. It wants to bring its friends into every sector. It does not care whether unemployment keeps increasing or whether people lose their jobs. Now the same is going to happen in Goa. The Modi government is preparing to sell Dabolim Airport. The people in South Goa whose livelihoods depended on that airport, whose hotels and taxis were running because of it, will be ruined. Whoever was connected to Dabolim Airport for their employment will reach the brink of destruction.”

The AAP MP further said, “The AAP opposes this decision. Under any circumstances, we will oppose this decision of the Modi government. The government is preparing to take a decision to sell the airport, snatch it away and end the employment of the people there. This decision will be opposed at every level.”

Posting on X, Sanjay Singh reiterated, “The BJP government wants to sell every part of the country and bring its friends into every sector. If unemployment rises because of it, so be it. If people lose their jobs, so be it. Now the same is going to happen in Goa. The government is preparing to sell Dabolim Airport. Those whose livelihoods were dependent on that airport will all become unemployed. The AAP opposes this decision.”