Dr Willy is more remembered as surgeon than politician in Benaulim

Dotor Wilfred as he is fondly known will be remembered for his political acumen and making incisions into Goa’s political history and patching together governments of different sorts. But very few people remember Dotorbab’s stint in Goa’s coastal village of Benaulim.

Noted lawyer Cleofato Almeida Coutinho recalls how Dr Jack Sequeira then was keen to bring the doctor into politics in Goa and had introduced him to Benaulim voters for the bypolls. The Benaulim constituency was vacant following the death of United Goans Party (UGP) MLA, Vasudev Sarmalkar. The constituency was believed to be a UGP stronghold, with Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) having no presence in it. Many expected that the UGP ticket would be granted to Sarmalkar’s son Jyoti, but UGP instead brought in Dr Wilfred de Souza, a resident of Saligao in Bardez as its candidate.  MGP’s Francisco Menino Jesus (Luta) Ferrao, after recounts, won the election. But the result was challenged by Dr Willy and the court ordered a recount that gave the candidates an equal number of votes. The draw of lots favoured Willy, the result was set aside and de Souza was declared elected. In that two and a half years tenure, Dr Wilfred is believed to have entered the Assembly only after more than a year, before which Luta represented the constituency. 

The case plays on with many twists and turns but the people of Benaulim remember the doctor more than the MLA. “Dr Willy was a gentleman and did few things but things that were most vital for Goa and to conserve Goa,” explains Victor Hugo Gomes who runs a successful heritage Museum at Benaulim.

“Dr Wilfred was well known across Goa as a surgeon and people in Benaulim were proud to have him represent them. He would rarely come but when he came, people were interested in getting a check-up done by Goa’s famous surgeon more than approaching the new MLA in 1974 for political favours,” explains a well know doctor from Benaulim, Dr Caetanor Loyola Pereira. While Jusito Perreira, a 70-year old resident from Benaulim recalls how Dotor Willy was rarely around and an amateur to politics but would come to Benaulim and interact in Konkani for long hours with the senior citizens, on their health, pressure issues, medication and never discussed any development.

But they do remember the same Dr Willy after going back to represent Saligao and Calangute to be one of the faces of Goa in the 80’s to fight in the Opinion Poll and keep Goa independent from Maharastra. Benaulim has seen a lot of Dr Willy but he’s a faint memory of 1974 but yet, Benaulim mourns his death.