TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Taking strong umbrage to party leadership soft-pedalling on tackling rebellion by the Alemaos and Sardinhas, Santa Cruz Legislator Babush Monserrate on Thursday demanded that the Congress immediately sack youth Congress President Valanka Alemao and Francisco Sardinha from the party.
Rubbishing the statements of Congress leaders that the party doors are shut for those who have quit the organisation, Babush cited his own example when he recalled that he was not only given re-entry, but was virtually rewarded with two tickets in the last election. “I cannot digest Chella Kumar’s statement that those who have rebelled will not be taken back. For, I had left the Congress and was rewarded with two tickets after my return”, he said.
“It is very clear that Shallom has revolted because his father Sardinha was not given the ticket, while Churchill has revolted
because his daughter Valanka was denied the ticket. The Congress is sending a wrong message to the party workers and the people of Goa by not initiating action against Sardinha and Valanka”, Babush said, while addressing the media at the residence of Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai in the presence of Congress South Goa candidate, Reginaldo Lourenco.
Seeking to know what political role Valanka would play in Bangalore when Goa is also going to the poll, Babush demanded that the party leadership should get Valanka on Reginaldo’s platform to tell the party workers and people in general how Churchill has ditched and betrayed the Congress.
“It is very clear that Churchill was lobbying hard for the ticket to Valanka. I fail to understand why Valanka cannot convince her father to work for the Congress. Sardinha is my friend, but he too should be sacked for the rebellion”, he demanded, while saying that Valanka has no moral right to continue as the Youth Congress president.
While saying that he has not set any deadline to the party leadership to act on his demand, Babush, however, said the prospects of the Congress candidates would be certainly affected if action is not forthcoming against Valanka and Sardinha.
Saying that the NCP has sacked its Minister in Maharashtra because his daughter is contesting on the BJP ticket, Babush said the Big Brother in Goa should take a cue from the alliance partner and initiate action against rebels. “If the party does not take action, the Congress will be like an orphanage, where no one will be able to keep track of who’s coming in and going out”, he added.
Taking on the Trinamool Congress leader, Churchill Alemao, Babush said he is still alive and knows how much the Congress has helped him during his stint in the party.
Congress candidate, Reginaldo Lourenco, who was present at the briefing, said he was in total agreement with the sentiments expressed by the Santa Cruz legislator.
