TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: Hitting back at WRD Minister Dayanand Mandrekar for his comments over neglect of Calangute, former Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes stated that the village roads are much better developed than the PWD roads in Siolim constituency represented by the minister.
Fernandes made the statement while refuting the allegations of the WRD minister over neglect of Calangute at the inaugural ceremony of Calangute Beach Promenade.
“The minister, who was the then opposition MLA representing Siolim constituency, had in fact praised me for lot of developments in Calangute constituency,” said Fernandes.
“The Calangute Beach Promenade and other related works like beautification of Baga, etc, were all proposed by me and there is nothing new in it. The present government is carrying out the developmental works initiated by our Congress government, which could not be carried out due to code of conduct,” said Fernandes.
“Works in Baga, Calangute, Candolim, and other areas are nothing new, but an ongoing process of development. Mandrekar should outline what are the new developments carried out by the BJP government and the Calangute MLA,” stated Fernandes.
“The village roads in Calangute constituency were much better than the PWD roads in the Siolim constituency represented by the WRD minister. The PWD roads are no better even today,” added Fernandes.
It may be recalled that Mandrekar at the recent inaugural ceremony of Calangute Beach Promenade had reportedly stated that former Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes did nothing to develop the Calangute village and in particular neglected the Calangute beach. “The gross neglect of Calangute by the previous MLA is taken up by present Calangute MLA Michael Lobo on war footing which should be appreciated by one and all,” Mandrekar had stated.
Calangute ZP member Abeline Menezes had also backed Mandrekar stating that even the lights did not work on the beach.
Fernandes however refused to comment saying: “The Calangute ZP member is a well-respected personality and it is better not to comment.”
When contacted, Michael Lobo said: “Development is an ongoing process which needs to be carried forward by the succeeding MLAs. However, the Calangute Beach Promenade was not at all proposed by former Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes, while other development works were part of Fernandes’ plans.”
