PANJIM: Newly inducted Cabinet Minister Michael Lobo, who was instrumental in roping in Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Independents in 2017, has said it was their biggest mistake to ally with them.
“It was our (BJP) mistake to go with such kind of elements, who were working for their personal interest after the March 2017 elections,” he said after tendering his resignation as Deputy Speaker to the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Rajesh Patnekar on Saturday.
Lobo, who along with three others was later sworn in as minister during the day, also took a dig at the former coalition ministers of being self-centric rather than working for the welfare of the general public.
“Those opposing our government in five years had occupied the front seat (in the House). After merging in the government, what changes did they make? What justice was given to the people? It was in fact focused only on ‘I, me and myself’. In the name of Goenkarponn, they were trying to do everything for themselves and not for the people,” he commented.
Lobo did not hesitate to mention that the former ministers, who were asked to resign, were involved in arm twisting.
“They were arm twisting. They were trying to influence Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant in a different way; their tone was different; their agenda was different… I am not targeting everybody personally but when you are the minister of the State, work for the State and not constituency alone,” he said.
Lobo, however, refused to admit that he led the former Congress legislators stating, “I have not taken any lead. I am always there if something good has happened. It was their (Congress) call to join us.” He also conceded that 3-4 Congress MLAs wished to join the BJP during Manohar Parrikar’s illness.
