Team Herald
MARGAO: After Congress denied ticket, an agitated former minister and former Cuncolim MLA, Joaquim Alemao finally said good bye to Congress and decided to contest the Cuncolim seat either as an Independent or as the candidate of any other party.
Addressing a press conference in Cuncolim on Thursday, Joaquim said that he quit the Congress party and would contest the Cuncolim seat either as an Independent or as the candidate of any other party.
Joaquim lamented that despite his sacrifice and tireless works for the party, the Congress has done injustice to him by denying him the Cuncolim ticket.
Coming down heavily on Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Luizinho Falerio, Joaquim alleged that Falerio sold the Cuncolim ticket to a corrupt and criminal person Clefacio Dias for money.
Referring to Faleiro’s stated position that he prefers new faces in the ensuing elections, Joaquim asked: “Is Luizino a new face?” that now he himself is going to contest the election at an old age.
“Luizinho is not interested in party’s victory. He wants to become the chief minister and that’s why he is playing all dirty tricks,” Joaquim alleged.
“I had saved the Rane government. I came to the rescue of the Congress twice despite pressure from my brother Churchill. I won twice Cuncolim on Congress ticket. I served as a minister. I do not have any criminal or corruption charges against me. So, on what ground, the Congress denied me ticket? Let Faleiro tell voters,” he said venting his anger.
“I do not care for the Congress ticket as I have the people’s ticket; I will defeat Congress hundred percent not only in Cuncolim but also in Navelim. I will work hard to defeat Luizino in Navelim,” he vowed.
Taking a dig at Congress candidate for Cuncolim Clefacio Dias, Joaquim said that “Dias is a criminal person who has many criminal cases pending against him in courts and also in Lokayukta.”
He also rued at the supposed irony that a person “who has encroached on public property and facing corruption charges” has became the Congress candidate.
Joaquim informed the media that he would take a call on contesting the elections after a discussion with his supporters and that he would file his nomination either on Monday or Tuesday.
When asked whether John Montero, the other aspirant for Congress ticket, was going to join his camp, he said, “I will welcome Montero if he joins. There are many Congress men waiting to quit the party.”
Meanwhile, the agitated supporters of Joaquim burnt an effigy of Faleiro. They threatened not to allow Faleiro in Cuncolim for allegedly calling them as ‘goons.”
