MARGAO: Former Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva has said that he would file a defamation case against Valanka Alemao and John Fernandes for the complaint they made against him regarding Portuguese citizenship. Caitu has also blamed Government of Goa for not helping him in the case.
Caitu confirmed having received the order from the Union Home ministry, on February 8, ruling that Caitu is not a Portuguese citizen, but a citizen of India.
Addressing the press at Margao, Caitu said, “This is a victory for Goans. Churchill Alemao family tried to throw out Caitu. But they have sadly got 27,000 Goans removed from the electoral rolls. This family dug a pit and put 27,000 honest people in the pit. It is a pit dug against the 95% youth and people from South Goa and now they have been pushed into it.”
Commenting on the statements of Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik, Caitu said, “When Congress government was in power they never raised the issue of the pertinent threats to the Goans and never spoke much. Shantaram today may have spoken but where was he when Congress was in power?”
On filing for damages, Caitu said, “I have spent my life saving on this case and I have decided that I will be filing for damages, a defamation case against Valakna Alemao and John Fernandes from Varca who are complainants in this case. I have decided this because if we don’t take action, they will keep troubling people forever.”
Adv Bairon Fernandes said, “The MLA has not only undergone mental stress but monetary stress too. We will push for malicious prosecution against all involved. It is a mess done by previous Government.”
