Team Herald
PANJIM: Marking the Vijayadashami festival, Goa Trinamool Congress (TMC) opened its party office in Panjim on Friday.
Following prayers, prominent women leaders and social activists were inducted into the party.
Amongst the new members who joined the party, were Swati Kerkar, Diksha Talavanekar and Jayesh Shetgaonkar.
It may be recalled that TMC had earlier announced that the women leaders from Goa would be presented on Dussehra and the party led by the country’s strongest woman leader has always emphasised on women’s empowerment.
In that regard, the party pointed out that Kerkar is known for raising critical grassroots issues in the State.
Kerkar, the daughter of freedom fighter Sridhar Kerkar, was formerly associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and was also a spokesperson for the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC). When questioned as to why she joined TMC, Kerkar said, “I am here to serve the people of Goa. If any political party stops me from doing so, I have no other option but to leave them and align myself with a party that promotes the best interests of Goans. Neither Congress nor AAP gave me a platform to take independent decisions in favour of the people of Goa. Despite repeated pleas, there was no action.”
“I am so glad that TMC led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to come to Goa. She is a fiery leader who has put women’s empowerment at the top of her agenda. I have full faith in her leadership,” she added.
TMC also praised the qualities of Talavanekar and Shetgaonkar.
Talavanekar is a former executive committee member of the BJP Goa Mahila Morcha and has vociferously raised her voice seeking equality and more opportunities for women. Shetgaonkar is a social activist who runs ‘Goa Against Coal’, a member of ‘Goencho Ekvott’ and former member of AAP.
TMC leaders whole-heartedly welcomed the spirited leaders and said they hope to work in complete collaboration towards a better Goa.
Earlier in the day, the event was kick-started by a unique multi-faith puja ceremony wherein rituals of all faiths were performed in the presence of the Goa Trinamool leadership. TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, former Goa CM Luizinho Faleiro, Yatish Naik, Antonio Clovis and Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar who recently extended ‘absolute support’ to TMC were present at the event amongst others.
Speaking to media persons after the function, Faleiro said TMC is the only alternative, which can unseat the ruling government and that BJP and other political parties are already feeling threatened by TMC’s recent entry in Goa and acceptance by the people of Goa.