Team Herald
margao: The NCP MLA of Benaulim Churchill Alemao has challenged NCP Goa President Jose Philip D’souza to remove him from the party if he was wrong in meeting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with the winning Zilla Panchayat (ZP) candidate of Colva Vania Baptista.
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He emphasised that it was a courtesy call that he made to the CM and underlined the fact that he has not joined the BJP. He reiterated that neither he nor his workers have joined BJP and that he will never do so.
He also apologized to the people of Benaulim for having become over confident with his ZP candidate of Benaulim that had lost to the AAP winning candidate.
“I have supported the government on issue basis and if I don’t support on issue basis, then there won’t be any development in my constituency. People will complain even if there is no development” he said.
He also pointed out that there is no Health Center in Benaulim and that people have to go to Cansaulim or Carmona for healthcare. He informed all that a 14-bedded health center will be commissioned in Benaulim soon and said that they need the government support for development.
“They have 33 candidates who won in Goa and they don’t need our support,” he observed.
Reacting to a statement made by the NCP Goa Chief, he said D’souza lacks the ‘daring’ attitude.
“He (D’Souza) gave a statement. I have given him full power. He said that he will write to the central committee regarding my visit to the Chief Minister. Churchill has kept the NCP flag high in Goa and I challenge today, if we are with BJP, remove me, you have the power” said Churchill.
Former Colva ZP and NCP General Secretary Nelly Rodrigues while thanking the people of Colva for reposing faith with them and also thanked Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’sa. On that note she said that elected members need the support of MLAs and that MLAs need the government to get work done.
“As a courtesy call Churchill went to the CM. We have not and will never join the BJP as their ideologies don’t match with us,” said Nelly, while adding that the 40% voter’s turnout is not a reflection of what the Assembly election will be about.
“People feel there is no power to ZPs in Goa and hence there was a low voter turnout,” she added.
Vania Baptista the Colva ZP said that her detractors have started a malicious campaign against her and clarified that she has not joined or supported the BJP but had gone on a visit as a courtesy call to CM.
“This function was organized by the CM to welcome all newly-elected representatives of ZP (and not just BJP winners). Attending the function doesn’t mean I have joined BJP. I am still representing my people and my party (NCP). I didn’t wear the BJP sash that the other winners of BJP were wearing. So my dear people of Colva, don’t worry. I will always be with you and keep your interest first,” Vania had stated on her social media page.
