Team Herald
MARGAO: The news of Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco’s resignation spread like a fire in Curtorim Constituency on Monday, and even his close aides appeared upset.
Many expressed ire over his sudden decision to quit the party.
It is pertinent to note that the Congress had already declared the first list of its candidates for the upcoming elections, and Reginaldo was one of them, who was also the party’s working president.
“Nobody had any idea that Reginaldo would quit the party. However, his behaviour for the last few days had created some suspicion,” said a party source.
However, Joe Dias, president of South Goa District Committee said now they have to decide on the next candidate to fill the gap created by Reginaldo.
“We will meet the block committee members and an appropriate decision will be taken to finalise the Congress candidate in Curtorim constituency,” he said.
It is pertinent to note that amongst the aspirants finalised by the block committee before declaring Reginaldo as a candidate, Moreno Rebello, who joined the BJP, was amongst the aspirants. However, a few days before Moreno too left the party, as result Congress is now with no strong aspirant to stake claim for the ticket.
According to sources, the party leaders are planning to field former Rachol sarpanch and a strong Congressmen Joseph Vas, and Curtorim Sarpanch Milagres Fernandes, as alternatives. However, Congress will have a tough time in Curtorim for the next Assembly elections.
On the other hand, several close aides of Reginaldo expressed shock and surprise over his decision to quit the party. A close aide of Reginaldo from Raia said the MLA’s decision is unexpected.
“I am really shocked after hearing the news. He was known as one of the sincere Congress leaders, but his decision to depart from the party, and that too at the last moment is unacceptable,” he said.
Milagres Fernandes, Congressmen and Curtorim Sarpanch expressed shock over the MLA’s decision.
“Being a MLA he should have taken the workers and the supporters into confidence before taking the decision. However, we hope that the Congress leaders take appropriate decisions and give a fresh candidate to Curtorim,” he said.
He expressed his wish to contest the election on the party ticket in Curtorim.
Earlier, Reginaldo had announced that he will be with the party and will fight for the cause of Goans unitedly, when he had reverted back his decision to quit the party on his birthday. There were speculations that he is on the way to join AAP, but party leaders and especially national leader Rahul Gandhi convinced him to take back his decision of quitting Congress.
The three-time MLA was first elected under the banner of “Save Goa Party”, and later the party was merged into the Congress along with Churchill Alemao.
At the moment, Congress is left with no strong candidate, despite Curtorim being a Congress dominated constituency.
