TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Lok Sabha South Goa Congress candidate Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco launched a scathing attack on the BJP and said that he will ‘beg’ for votes from the South Goa electorate to defeat the party he accused of promoting communalism.
“I beg the people to vote for Congress… to support us so that the dictatorial, fascist BJP does not rule at the Centre,” he told Herald when Congress presented both its candidates to the press, Wednesday, at the Congress House in the capital city.
Reginaldo and Ravi Naik whose names were announced in the third list of Congress candidates announced Tuesday were both optimistic that they would win their respective seats.
North Goa candidate Ravi Naik said the Congress was responsible for development in the country and empowerment of women and the poor by bringing in various legislations. He appeared unfazed that he would lose out on votes from his home constituency – Ponda, which he has represented for several years in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
“It does not matter that my constituency falls in South Goa district because I am certain my voters will vote for Congress to bring it to power. Voters in the 20 constituencies will certainly cast their votes in my favour,” he told Herald.
The former chief minister will contest with BJP’s sitting MP Shripad Naik and NCP’s Nilkant Halarnkar whose nomination is in doubt amidst speculation of a settlement between the party and Congress. Congress’ young face Reginaldo faces Narendra Sawaikar of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Yuri Alemao is the NCP’s nominee for South Goa.
“Our crucial aim is to bring everybody belonging from different caste, creed and community together. I will personally hold a meet with all of them during my campaign trail,” Naik said.
