PANJIM: Former MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco was heavily criticised by Congress leaders at the first public meeting held in Curtorim ever since Lourenco quit Congress and joined Trinamool Congress (TMC).
At the meeting held on Wednesday evening, citizens not just from Curtorim-Maina village but also from neighbouring villages of Raia, Rachol and Camurlim were present as Congress leaders slammed Lourenco for betraying the trust of the people given the manner in which he had resigned from the party.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat, former minister Mickky Pacheco and others emphasised that the people of Curtorim have always supported Congress and expressed confidence that the public will support the party for the forthcoming elections.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) Goa-incharge Dinesh Gundu Rao accused Lourenco of trying to blackmail Congress in the past where the former MLA allegedly asked for money with the threat of joining another party if his demands were not met and eventually Lourenco sold his status as MLA.
Rao also questioned Lourenco’s contribution to developing Congress in Goa and criticised him for only complaining about what needed to be done for his own personal development. He said Lourenco failed to discharge the responsibilities given to him by Congress. He added that anyone is free to leave the party but that Lourenco had done so after being announced as the candidate.
Rao also echoed the sentiments expressed by the Curtorim Block Congress Committee (CBCC) members of having not worked to help the party’s candidates for the recent Zilla Panchayat elections and instead working for a rival candidate. Incidentally, Curtorim ZP Michelle Rebello, whose husband Moreno joined the BJP, recently, was present on the dais. Rao added that Lourenco had not bothered fielding candidates for the Margao Municipal Council elections either.
CBCC president Milagres Fernandes, former Rachol sarpanch Joseph Vaz, Camurlim sarpanch Basil Fernandes lashed out at Lourenco for working against the CBCC and for not developing the villages in the constituency.
They also added that irrespective of whoever the new candidate is, their block will continue to work for his victory in the polls.
