Team Herald
MARGAO: Former Minister Joaquim Alemao who lost the Assembly elections by a very narrow margin, hinted that he may retire from electoral politics to enable his son Yuri Alemao to take over but assured that his social service will continue.
He attributed his defeat to the ‘Congress wave’ that swept Salcete just as an anti-Congress wave had prevailed in 2012 and pointed out that considering the number of votes he got, it was a victory for him, as he had contested the elections as an independent.
He admitted that he and his supporters were over confident which had resulted in them making some mistakes that cost him dear.
Replying to a question he said he had asked for counting of VVPAT slips only in those booths where he was expecting more votes even though he was leading in three of the four booths where this counting was done.
Joaquim did not hold anybody responsible for his defeat nor did he accuse anybody of betraying his trust and working against him. “It was the Congress wave that was responsible,” he said.
Some of Joaquim’s supporters, particularly from Cuncolim, blamed mismanagement for the loss and accused Joaquim of relying on his family instead of his supporters who have been involved in electoral politics for long.
Yuri, spearheaded the campaign and was supported by his brother Braz and cousins Warren and his brother. Yuri not only toured the constituency but would keep in touch with various key persons and hold regular meetings with them.
Many of Joaquim’s supporters were aware that Yuri was being groomed to contest the next elections from Cuncolim. Joaquim while admitting the work done by Yuri said he would support Yuri at the next elections only if the people want him to be their candidate.
