Karsten Miranda
VARCA: The mood has changed and it is rising in favour of Churchill Alemao, who in the eye of his hometown’s public, is suffering at the hands of the vindictive BJP.
In the days leading to his arrest, many believed it was time Churchill paid for his alleged involvement in corruption during his tenure as the PWD minister. Some even swore how Churchill, the man with a large heart and even larger wallet, had become greedy when he was the minister and how such a bribery scandal was expected. However, the manner in which he was arrested – and which people now label as selective and over-aggressive –has upset Varca residents beyond reason.
What tipped the scales in his favour was that co-accused and former chief minister Digambar Kamat was granted bail; he was not even arrested.
The news enraged Churchill’s faithful across the village. Irate locals questioned how Kamat was let go and why Churchill had not been granted bail. They also scoffed at the flimsy reasons given about Churchill’s background.
Many locals received constant updates of the remarks and observations of the judge in the case and wondered how authentic the charges against Alemao were given how the court had summarily dismissed the charges against Kamat. They were convinced it was only a matter of time before Churchill got bail.
There was further speculation on whether the Congress would allow the political heavyweight to return to the fold and whether this was a planned strategy of the BJP to ensure Alemao damages the Congress’s chances by splitting votes in Salcete.
Political predictions aside, the anger in Varca was profound, with people vowing to serve the government a strong lesson in politics. Preparations are already underway to welcome their ‘Robin Hood’ when he returns home.
When asked if Churchill could have been involved in the JICA bribery case even if he gets bail, locals would put on their advocate coats and argue how he is completely innocent and has only been targeted.
