New Delhi: The chief ministers of Delhi and Goa have been engaged in a Twitter face-off this week over environment-related concerns in their jurisdictions.
It all started with a tweet by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on 9 November, where he referred to the ongoing ‘Save Mollem’ campaign in Goa against three development projects that reportedly threaten the state’s oldest wildlife sanctuary and a national park. He also referred to a movement underway in Goa against coal projects, under the banner of “Goyont Kollso Naka (We Don’t Want Coal in Goa)”.
Goans camping day n nite to #savemollem and stop #coalprojects. FIRs done against many Goans incl AAP volunteers. Muzzling protests and lodging FIR will not dampen spirit of Goans to save Goa from being a coal hub. Govts shud not implement projects against the wishes of people.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 9, 2020
Goa CM Pramod Sawant, subsequently said at a press conference Wednesday that Kejriwal should focus his attention on controlling the pollution situation in Delhi, referring to the “bad” air quality he witnessed in the national capital on a recent visit.
Thus began a series of exchanges on Twitter, with Kejriwal retweeting a media report about Sawant’s statement and saying “we all have to work together to ensure there is no pollution in both Delhi and Goa”.
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Argument over central govt role too
Over a two-day spat where the last potshot was lobbed Thursday afternoon, the two chief ministers also argued over the role of the central government, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kejriwal smelling a rat and BJP member Sawant defending his party’s administration at the Centre.
.@DrPramodPSawant Its not abt Delhi’s pollution vs Goa’s pollution. Both Delhi and Goa are dear to me. We are all one country. We all have to work together to ensure there is no pollution in both Delhi and Goa. https://t.co/AWiIg7zX1W
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 11, 2020
Dear CM @ArvindKejriwal ji, we are making sure that there is no pollution issue in Goa and our Govt will ensure that our state remains pollution free. I am sure the people of Delhi also want the same in their beautiful state. https://t.co/tUHU2wqmdV
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) November 11, 2020
During the exchange, as Kejriwal raised the Mollem issue again, suggesting that the three projects were being forced on Goa by the central government, Sawant replied, “Knowing your expertise in creating Center vs State issues, we will skip your advice.” He also said there is no threat to Mollem.
It is heartening to hear that @DrPramodPSawant ji. Goans are opposing double tracking project. Kindly hear their voice n #savemollem as they are lungs of Goa. I understand Centre is forcing this project on Goa. Pl stand wid Goans, say NO 2 centre n save Goa from becoming coal hub https://t.co/nxiLNgbOWC
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 12, 2020
Dear @ArvindKejriwal ji,
Doubling of Railway tracks is a nation building exercise.
There is no threat to Mollem & we will ensure it remains that way.
We will not allow Goa to become coal hub.
Knowing your expertise in creating Center vs State issues, we will skip your advice. https://t.co/R0nyO8Bzry
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) November 12, 2020
When Kejriwal asked him to “listen to the voices of Goans”, even if he rejects his advice, Sawant said, “Our feet and ears are firmly on the ground.”
.@DrPramodPSawant ji, you don’t need to listen to my advice but please listen to the voices of Goans. Shouldn’t Goans have some say in their own state? Is Central diktat more important than Goan voices? https://t.co/aApYjBxZzq
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 12, 2020
Our feet and ears are firmly on the ground @ArvindKejriwal ji.
Please stop your divisive politics of Center vs State. We are ONE NATION !
धन्यवाद् 🙏 https://t.co/btoe83Q5lx
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) November 12, 2020
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