Team Herald
MARGAO: At a time when there are speculations of alliance between Congress and Goa Forward Party for the upcoming Assembly elections, Piedade Noronha, Block President of Fatorda Congress Committee and Joseph Silva, convenor of Congress, besides few others, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday. They have made their entry into the party aiming to defeat the Fatorda MLA.
BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade in the presence of party Vice-President and former Fatorda MLA Damodar Naik welcomed Congress local leaders Piedade and Joseph, besides former councillor Livrament Barreto and Adv Millie Andrade.
The entry of the Piedade and Joseph has been considered as the big jolt to the Congress and Goa Forward Party, at the time when both parties are working hard for the alliance. Besides Joseph, Piedade too has been with the Congress for a very long time.
Piedade and Joseph both have alleged that Congress leaders failed to recognise their services, and they are fed up with the use and throw policy of the present Fatorda MLA.
“I have worked for Congress but party leaders never recognised our services, more especially in Fatorda constituency. Party had ditched us in the bargaining of alliance with other parties in the last Assembly elections”, said Piedade.
She further alleged that the Congress is engaged in the use and throw policy. “BJP workers have unity amongst them”, Piedade said while praising the saffron party. Newly inducted local leaders pledged to elect Damu in the next Assembly elections.
Addressing the gathering former MLA Damodar alias Damu Naik admitted that it took him nearly 20 years to get involved with the Scheduled Tribes community in Fatorda.
“The entry of Piedade, Joseph, and Livrament besides others will surely give a boost to the BJP in Fatorda constituency. There are nearly 30,000 votes in Fatorda, out of which 20 to 25 per cent are of ST community”, he stated.
Councillors Camilo Barreto, Sadanand Naik, Milagrina Gomes, and other office-bearers of BJP were also present at the function.
