TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Everything appeared calm and quite at the Benaulim residence of local MLA Caitu Silva, even as a storm over the question of his citizenship hit the constituency on Friday noon.
The news that the Union Home Ministry has ruled the Benaulim MLA as a Portuguese citizen since July 21, 2010 has come as welcome news for arch political rivals, the Varca-based Alemao family. However, there was no noticeable activity outside Caitu’s residence this evening.
Caitu and his PA Elvis Gomes were holed up in Panjim to gather information about the Home Ministry’s order and to draw up strategies on how to handle the delicate legal issue, while only family members were seen at the Benaulim residence.
While despondency appears to have set in the MLA’s camp after the news of the Union Home Ministry spread this evening, the mood at the Varca residence of the Alemao’s was upbeat. When contacted, Valanka, who had lost to the Benaulim MLA in the 2012 Assembly polls, politely declined to comment on the Union Home Ministry’s decision. She, however, indicated that that her stand on Caitu’s citizenship finally stands vindicated.
Valanka’s disqualification petition against the Benaulim MLA is pending in the High Court and legal sources said the Union Home Ministry’s decision may come as an additional armament for her in the High Court.
