Team Herald
PANJIM: Even as senior Goa Civil Service officer Elvis Gomes, who opted for voluntary retirement, handed over charge to his superiors on Tuesday, speculation was rife over his next political step.
Sources reveal that Gomes sought VRS to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). AAP volunteers are upbeat about it but Gomes has refused to confirm the speculation, even as sections of the vernacular media suggested he was going the saffron way.
Reports said the former selection grade officer, who was on the brink of being elevated to IAS, has been convinced by his close friend and mentor Deputyy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza against joining the Arvind Keriwal-led party. However, sources very close to him in Cuncolim have flatly denied this saying that this speculation is not even worth discussing
When contacted, Gomes said that the deterioration in the system was the reason for him to seek the VRS. He said the system works only for certain elements.
On whether he is joining AAP, he said, he is considering the option. “It is one of the many doors that have opened after I have resigned. However, immediately, I am going to take rest and while I’m taking rest I will decide which option to choose,” he stated.
Responding to a query about the pending cases filed against him, Gomes said, “All are bogus FIRs and I have challenged them in the High Court. The government has realised that they are bogus cases and therefore relieved me from duty.”
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AAP officially opens doors for Elvis Gomes
PANJIM: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday confirmed that Goa civil service officer Elvis Gomes, whose application for voluntary retirement was accepted on Monday, was welcome in the party.
AAP convenor Valmiki Naik said, “He (Gomes) has asked for some time and we have given him. Party welcomes him.” There is speculation that the former government employee is likely to join the party and contest the elections from Cuncolim constituency.
Meanwhile, AAP claims that following the success of ‘Goa Dialogue’, under which the party held 120 meetings, it is now working towards drafting a youth manifesto. The party will come up with 41 election manifestoes, one would be State centric and the rest would be one for each constituency. “The loudest echo at almost every Goa Dialogue meet is the anger against the unhindered and brazen corruption which has corroded and maimed governance in the State for several years. People looking up to AAP as a clear choice to overhaul Goa’s politics and purge these corrupt satraps through 2017 polls,” said Oscar Rebello, one of the prominent faces of the party. Meanwhile, amidst speculation regarding he joining the poll fray Dr Oscar Rebello played down the reports stating that “family & professional commitments” have led to him deciding not to contest the 2017 polls.
