TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: In a political development that may cause some concern in the Churchill camp, the BJP has finally decided to support Independent candidate Avertano Furtado to defeat the Congress heavyweight a la 2007 polls.
In the 2007 elections, the BJP had strongly rallied behind Churchill Alemao to put an end to the 26-year rule by Luzinho Faleiro over Navelim.
Accompanied by his supporters and BJP leaders, Avertano on Friday filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate for the Navelim seat. He later told newsmen that he is contesting the polls because of lack of development in the constituency. “Besides bridges, Churchill did nothing in the constituency. People openly talk of corruption. People want an end to corruption. Even a priest has started receiving threats”, he said, while confirming that he is being backed by all parties, including the BJP.
BJP leader Ulhas Tuemkar said the BJP has extended support to Avertano and expressed confidence that history will be repeated in Navelim in the coming polls. “The BJP has committed workers and sizeable votes. We are supporting Avertano because people are looking for a clean candidate and development”, Tuemkar added.
The PWD Minister appeared unfazed by the development. “Those who were with the BJP last time are supporting me now. The leaders may not be with me, but I have the support of the people”, he said, while exuding confidence of retaining the Navelim seat by a thumping majority.
Commenting on his position in Navelim, with his detractors throwing their lot behind Avetano Furtado, Churchill said many leaders may be involved to get him defeated, but asserted that he can be defeated by only God and the people.
“I will win the elections by a thumping margin of 10,000 votes”, he said, even as he said that people of Navelim are solidly behind him, even though the BJP has decided to extend support to Independent candidate, Avertano Furtado.
