TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Admitting the sad reality of the absence of opposition in the state, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Chief Luizinho Faleiro on Monday gave a call to all opposition forces to come under one banner to give justice to the people and wipe out the tears from every family in the state.
Faleiro’s call came after Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai told the GPCC President that the responsibility of bringing all opposition forces under one banner lies with the Congress party.
Both Faleiro and Vijai shared the dais at the anniversary function of the Gandhi Market readymade, vegetable and fruit vendors Association led by former Congress Minister Babu Azgaonkar at the Gandhi market, Margao, on Monday evening. “I want to publicly admit what Vijai has said. If we have to give justice to Goa and Goans, we all have to come together, both inside and outside the Assembly”, Faleiro said, while making a fervent plea to the opposition forces to sink all differences and join forces for the betterment of the state.
“Let this be the New Year resolution. Though Vijai is an Independent MLA, the Congress blood runs in his veins. We will work closely with Vijai in the future in the interest of Goa and Goans”, Faleiro said, even as he slammed the BJP government for the failures on all fronts in the last three years.
Referring to Vijai’s statement that the Congress leaders, who had suffered a rout in the 2017 polls have still not apologized to the people, Faliero reminded that he had publicly apologized to Goans when he arrived in the state to head the Goa Pradesh Congress party two months ago. “When we make mistakes, there is no harm in apologizing to the people”, he said.
In his address, the Independent MLA said that the Congress as the main opposition party should bring together the weaker sections of society, NGOs working against the casinos and those demanding the Regional Plan and Special Status to preserve Goan heritage under one banner.
“After Faleiro has taken over the Congress reigns, the Congress has started showing positive signals. But, Faleiro should monitor closely what’s happening in the Assembly where most of the Congress MLAs are found not talking in the House”, he said.
He also took a dig at the Congress leaders for not publicly apologizing to the people even three years after the rout of the party. “Some of the Congress leaders are not ready to accept the mistakes. Through family raj, the five families wanted 33 per cent reservation for their kith and kin and were routed. But, they are still not ready to accept the mistakes”, Vijai added.
