TEAM HERALD
VASCO: In a setback to south Goa Congress candidate Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco’s election campaign, some members of the Dabolim block of the Congress committee and other supporters of Dabolim legislator Mauvin Godinho, on Thursday, assured their support to BJP’s south Goa candidate Narendra Sawaikar.
According to Bogmalo Sarpanch Laximan Kavlekar, a large number of Godinho’s supporters met Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar outside Godinho’s office at Sancoale and pledged their support to Sawaikar.
“Some members of the Dabolim block and other supporters of Godinho placed four demands: to retain Dabolim airport, to award dual citizenship to Goans once BJP forms government at the Centre, to legalise illegal houses in a time-bound period and to start a paper bag industry in Dabolim managed by Mahilas to get rid of the plastic menace,” said Kavlekar.
Mormugao councillor Sudesh Kolgaokar, who is also the member of the Dabolim block, said they waited too long for Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President John Fernandes to tender an apology for humiliating their leader Godinho.
“Fernandes failed to tender an apology or even to contact Godinho to know about his feelings.. Keeping this in view, we pledged our support to the BJP candidate and we have also urged Godinho to support the BJP this election,” he said.
Dabolim Mahila block Congress President Anita Thorat said they were supporting BJP as Congress had failed to tender an apology to Godinho and Dabolim Congress workers.
“BJP has taken up developmental works in Dabolim and we will support Sawaikar for further developmental projects in Dabolim,” she added.
When asked whether Godinho was present at the meeting and whether they conveyed to Godinho what transpired in the talks between them and Parrikar, Thorat said Godinho was not present during their talks with Parrikar and Godinho has sought some time to think over their demand and decide.
When contacted, Godinho said his supporters told him about the meeting with Parrikar and about extending their support to Sawaikar.
Asked if he would abide by the wishes of his supporters, Godinho said he has informed them to give him some time to think and decide and he would decide at an appropriate time.
Meanwhile, seven members of the ruling group of Chicalim panchayat, who are also members of the Dabolim block Congress committee, have decided not to support the BJP candidate.
Speaking to Herald, former sarpanch and Chicalim Panch Cleto D’Souza said they have decided not to support the BJP and they have extended their support to the Congress candidate.
“For the last 25 years, we have been with Congress and we are loyal soldiers of the party. Hence, we will support the Congress candidate,” D’Souza said.
When asked if they had made this clear to Godinho, D’Souza said they have informed Godinho about their sentiments.
A large number of Mauvin Godinho’s supporters met Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in Sancoale and pledged their support to Narendra Sawaikar before placing four key demands before the CM
