Team Herald
PANJIM: Congress party has condemned the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the midnight coup and split of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Communication Department Convenor, Trajano D’Mello addressing the media said, “BJP has come to power by piggybacking on the MGP and the allies of the BJP are always in the danger of being eliminated. The drama that was enacted past midnight was a dacoity of MGP at night.”
Stating that the BJP feared losing in the by-polls, he said “The signal is loud and clear, that in the coming by-elections the Congress is winning all the seats. And they knew that after the by-elections this government would collapse.”
He alleged that the ruling BJP were going trying to subvert the democracy. “The spirit of the anti-defection act which was enacted to have a healthy democracy is being used by the Bharatiya Janata Party to subvert democracy. They’re sure they can’t people’s vote directly and therefore now they are buying the MLAs to strengthen themselves”, Trajano stated.
Responding to the BJP’s actions of splitting its alliance partners MGP, Girish said that it has been proved that the BJP are not to be trusted as they stab their own friends. He said, “The midnight drama enacted by the Chief Minister who claims to be the chowkidaar of Goa committed an act of a midnight dacoity on the MGP MLAs. The BJP’s actions throughout India and happenings in Goa go to prove that they are determined to kill the soul of democracy.”
He said that the need of the hour is to save democracy, freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of faith and the freedom to practice one’s own cultural activities has to be preserved and safeguarded.
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Cong MLA offered huge amount to join BJP: Curtorim legislator
PANJIM: Amidst strong rumours that Congress legislator Isidore Fernandes is likely to switch over his loyalty to the BJP, senior Congressman Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco has conceded that one of its legislators is offered huge amount to join BJP. The legislator has however emphasised that no Congress MLA has succumbed to the pressure tactics by the ruling party.
“I am told that yesterday (Tuesday) there was an offer (to a Congress MLA) of Rs 20-30 crore (to quit the party and join BJP). I had never seen something like this. I am a third time MLA and not seen somebody offering this amount… and they are saying let’s talk. This is the offer given to one of the MLAs and it is rejected,” he said speaking to the reporters at the Legislative Assembly Complex on Wednesday, hours after two MGP MLAs resigned in a late night political drama and joined the BJP. He however refused to name the MLA who has been given this offer.
“It is a matter of power where money is involved. When people get into this game of money power, no one can stop this,” he said hinting at BJP’s repeated attempt to poach legislators from other political parties.
Asked whether he is amongst those Congress leaders who have been offered huge amount to join the BJP, Lourenco was quick to reply “No” stating he is a true Congressman and BJP is aware he won’t shift his loyalty to any other party.
Upset with the recent political turmoil, the Curtorim legislator equated it to prostitution. “The political scenario is like prostitution… it is the first time in the history that such elected representatives are showing to the people of Goa… It is wrong on the part of the ruling party to do this and this is a road map to finish. The art of being a chowkidar is rightly being carried out by the BJP,” he said.
The legislator asserted that the manner in which BJP was making moves, the coalition government would not last long. “I don’t think this government will last the way it is moving. The more you strengthen somebody… you look into the past history (that) whenever the government has done something like this, it has collapsed. History repeats. Goa creates history and repeats history. These people should count their days (in power),” he said. The party has reiterated that their MLAs are united to fight this government.
