Benaulim MLA hand in glove with BJP, says AAP

Team Herald

margao: While condemning the BJP government for stopping a cultural programme at Seraulim to celebrate Christmas on December 27, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused Benaulim NCP MLA Churchill Alemao of being involved in the cancellation and dared Churchill to condemn the incident to prove his innocence.

Briefing media persons Capt Venzy Viegas AAP co-ordinater in Benaulim said a cultural programme was organized at Seraulim church as part of Christmas celebration and pointed out that even the Sub Divisional Police Officer had given his NOC for the same.

However, on the day of the programme, suddenly hordes of police began arriving at the venue disclosed, AAP leader Maclean Coutinho who said there were around 150 police personnel, who were threatening to arrest the only 50 people gathered for the programme.

“The non Goan senior police officer was heard shouting to arrest anybody who sang songs on Coal,” Coutinho revealed.

 Coutinho­­ also questioned why the government is so scared of coal and pointed out that criticizing policies of the government through songs has been part of tiatrs for years now.

Venzy argued that the very fact that Churchill being the MLA and the newly-elected Colva ZP member Vania Baptista, were not present for the programme indicated that they were aware of the government plans. “In fact I say that Churchill himself asked the police to cancel the programme,” he said.

He pointed out that at the assembly elections Churchill had got the highest number of votes in Selaulim village and said it was time for the people of the village to think what they should do in future. “Only three things characterize Churchill – power, greed and corruption,” he alleged. 

While terming Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as Salazar, Venzy said those tactics do not work with Goans and said people will give a befitting reply at the right time and said it was deplorable that the BJP government had to stoop a cultural programme to show its might.

AAP’s Benaulim ZP Hanzel Fernandes and Colva candidate Aishwarya were also present for the briefing.