Team Herald

PANJIM: The Congress on Saturday said that with demise of former minister Victoria Fernandes, Goa lost a “committed daughter.” 

In the condolence message, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar expressed shock over death of Fernandes, who was popularly known as “mummy”. 

“She has attained a special place in Goan hearts. Goa lost a committed daughter who was known as Flower of the Fire by her admirers due to her soft heart and firebrand fighting spirit,” Chodankar said. 

“Popularly known as Mummy, Fernandes might not be with us today but her selfless work for the powerless and helpless will continue to inspire all of us. Goa can’t forget her major role during Opinion Poll & Konkani Agitation,” he said.

“She led various movements successfully and it is a big learning for new generation of leaders on how to sustain and take forward any movement consistently. She was a great leader of building movements and not events,” the GPCC chief said. 

Fernandes represented St Cruz Assembly constituency for four terms from 1994 till 2012, both as a candidate of Congress and regional parties. Ahead of 2012 Assembly election, Fernandes had quit the Congress after her son Rudolf was denied ticket to contest the election.

Apart from her participation in Opinion Poll and Konkani Agitation, She had backed the Ramponnkar movement for traditional fishermen, extended her support to toddy tapper’s movement, and also formed all Goa Vendors Association and was at the forefront in forming Mahila Mandal’s across the State.