Team Herald
MARGAO: Taking serious note of the recent political developments, several citizens during protest at Margao on Thursday sent a clear message to all MLAs especially Margao legislator Digambar Kamat that the people would not tolerate any attempts of defections.
The citizens cutting across party and religious lines held placards with messages stating prepare for a second battle, in the event of defections.
Speaking to media persons Prof Joan Rebello expressed disappointment over the attempt of Margao MLA Digambar Kamat to defect to the BJP.
“We the people of Margao had voted Digambar Kamat considering the ideology of the party he represented. And now when he wishes to join a party with a totally contradictory ideology, it is more than a backstab on the people of Margao”, she said.
Savio Coutinho said the sole purpose of holding the protest was to send a clear message to the greedy MLAs that the people would not tolerate such attempts of defections.
“We have chosen the Lohia Maidan for this protest, as it was from this place that the movement for Goa’s freedom started; and from here we wish to start a KRANTI against defections”, Coutinho revealed.
He said, “It is a shame that the elected MLAs who had taken vows in the temple, church and mosque prior to the elections, are now interested in switching over for their self interest, while portraying that they are going for development of their constituency. “
Damodar Naik said the MLAs who are elected in a particular party, should stick to the same party for next five years, and not switch sides for their selfish interests.
He said, “Karyakartas have created enemies with the other side by supporting the winning candidates. Why don’t these elected representatives think about their supporters?”
The gathering pledged to take this programme of protests against defections in all the constituencies across Goa.
The protest was attended by Radha Kavlekar, Anthony D’Silva, Adv Nick Colaco, Jack Mascarenhas, Domnic Coutinho, John Baretto, Loyola Rodrigues, Iftiyaz Sayed, Orlando Rodrigues, Umran Pathan, Mahesh Naik, Salim Shaikh, Edwin Lourenco, Abdul Matin, Leo Monteiro and others.
