VASCO: The Cortalim Block BJP Mandal along with other strong supporters have demanded a cabinet berth for Cortalim MLA-elect Alina Saldanha, who is also the lone woman elected on the party ticket at the recently concluded Assembly polls.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Block President Joel Fernandes said that “Our party has spoken a lot on women’s empowerment, locally and nationally. Given the fact that she has been re-elected, our party is duty-bound to offer a cabinet berth that too, a better one to Alina Saldanha, thereby respecting the sentiments of all women in Goa”.
He said, “During our election campaign, we and our party’s leadership have promised to the electorate that electing Alina back to power is like electing a minister once again. Our voters are surely expecting our leadership to keep its word. Since BJP held such high respect to late Matanhy Saldanha, and to keep that continuity, and considering the fact that Alina, tried her very best to follow her husband late Matanhy’s footsteps. We strongly feel that she deserves to be a minister in BJP government and we are sure that our party will consider the above among other reasons and do the needful”.
Former deputy sarpanch of Sancoale Girish Pillai who is also strong supporter of Alina said, “During the election campaign Manohar Parrikar had assured to the people of Cortalim that Alina would be minister in BJP government and now as he himself is going to lead the government, we strongly believe that Alina would be minister again.”
Meanwhile, it is also important to note that of total 13 MLAs elected on BJP ticket, seven are Catholics and thus electorate from South Goa has been keeping close watch on how many Catholic MLAs would be given plum portfolios in the new BJP government led by Parrikar.
While Alina’s supporters have already placed the demand for a cabinet berth to her, similar demands (not officially) have been made by supporters of other Catholic MLAs from Mormugao taluka.
