HERALD: The return of the old congress guard has rattled many a Congressmen. Reginaldo is one of them. Why?
Reginaldo: I believe that whoever is the president, he is empowered to take decisions in his own wisdom. Outgoing president John Fernandes too took many decisions by taking the high command into confidence. I feel that certain decisions taken by the outgoing president cannot just be thrown to the winds. You need to follow the procedure. The new president ought to have taken everybody into confidence, but this was not done. I feel I cannot question Faleiro’s wisdom in inviting all the leaders on his dais, but he needs to address the grievances of the workers.
HERALD: You had complained against many of these leaders for working against you in the Lok Sabha poll. But, the new president has ostensibly brought all these leaders together as part of his efforts to forge unity in the party. Comment.
Reginaldo: I have no comments to offer vis-a-vis the decision taken by the new president to bring these leaders on the party platform. But, I would also like to say that the onus of leading the Congress party to the 2017 Assembly poll also lies on the new President. The people of Goa have been watching the Congress since the 2012 Assembly polls and are still watching us.
HERALD: Reginaldo must have been a demoralised lot after seeing these leaders on Faleiro’s platform. Have you given up the fight against these leaders for indulging in party activities or will you fight till justice is done to you.
Reginaldo: I have been a fighter since the time I have joined politics. And my fight will continue in the interest of my Constituency, society and the state. My fight will go on.
HERALD:You and other young party leaders had made an attempt to groom the young turks to take over the responsibility from the old guard.
Reginaldo: It’s true that we were in the process of grooming the new blood ahead of the 2017 Assembly poll in the interest of the party. We had no vested interest when we initiated the process of identifying the young blood. These new leaders need not worry with the emerging developments in the party. These young leaders have reposed their faith in us and we will stand by them till the end.
HERALD:You were once a strong contender to take over the reigns of the GPCC. Would you have allowed your platform to be shared by leaders accused of anti-party activity?
Reginaldo: No, certainly not. I feel that some sort of discipline is important for any political party or individual. If I was the president, I would have certainly taken all the people into confidence before allowing nay leader accused of any party activities to share my dais.
HERALD: You have been outspoken in your criticism against the Parrikar government. In fact, you are credited with taking on with the Chief Minister head on in the last two years and half. What do you expect from the Congress leadership vis-a-vis the government since the party has a new President in Luizinho Faleiro.
Reginaldo:I feel that the new party leadership with rich experience behind them should be in a better position to take on the government head on. With little experience, I did my utmost best to expose the government on a host of issue.
And, I hope and pray the new leadership will do so.
