Team Herald
PANJIM: MLAs Vishwajit Rane and Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco on Friday categorically stated that the party is not in favour of encouraging ‘Family Raj’ in the upcoming polls.
The MLAs also said that Congress was in favour of contesting the 2017 elections in alliance with other like-minded political outfits.
Addressing the media, Rane hinted that from his family only one person may contest the 2017 polls, though at the beginning of the press conference he had mentioned that he and his father – Leader of the Opposition Pratapsing Rane – would contest from Valpoi and Poriem constituencies, respectively.
“Currently the only families that are into politics are me and my father and Jennifer and Babush (Atanasio) Monserrate. Beyond this, I don’t feel, family raj needs to be encouraged further,” Rane said.
“Also, may be from my family only one person may contest. Can’t say anything at this stage,” the MLA said adding, ‘all seniors need not retire from the politics… we do need some seniors to guide us’.
The statement came towards the end of the press conference. However, earlier he had said that two seats in Sattari are currently represented by his family. “I will contest on Congress ticket from Valpoi and my father from Poriem. We have a stronghold there,” he had said. There has been speculation that senior Rane may quit from State politics.
The issue of family raj had hit the Congress party in the 2012 election as the party had given seven tickets to three families.
On contesting the polls in alliance with other like-minded parties, Rane said talks are on at the highest level involving senior leaders, including Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh, AICC Secretary Dr Chellakumar, Goa unit President Luizinho Faleiro and the Leader of the Opposition.
“We all are in favour of an alliance but the final decision will be taken by the senior leadership,” he said.
Trying to settle speculation surrounding his possible move to leave Congress and contest on the Sattari Yuva Manch, the former health minister said he is part of Congress and would contest the election on a party ticket. “I am a Congressman and will continue to be. I am having problems with its functioning but that does not mean I am against the Congress party,” he said.
Both the MLAs assured that Congress would not commit the mistakes it did during its earlier tenure and would give an administration that is accountable to the people. “We agree that Congress made many mistakes in the past. There was a complete administrative failure. But we promise now to be more accountable. We assure we won’t repeat the mistakes,” Lourenco said.
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‘AAP is more dangerous than BJP’
Accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of trying to divide the minority votes, Congress termed the Arvind Kejriwal-led party as being more dangerous than BJP.
“AAP is more dangerous than BJP. What kind of Delhi model does it want to replicate in Goa? In Delhi the party is a complete failure,” Congress MLAs Vishwajit Rane and Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco said. “In Delhi its ministers, MLAs and other party lawmakers are involved in various criminal cases from rape, molestation, sexual exploitation of women to corruption. Is this the model that AAP wants to replicate in Goa?” the Congress leaders asked naming the AAP ministers and MLAs booked under various charges. “AAP cannot be an alternative to BJP. In fact they are more dangerous than BJP,” they commented. The Congress MLAs charged that AAP is trying to divide Congress’ minority votes in South Goa. “They are trying to divide our vote as AAP has failed to have its own vote bank. They are acting as B team of BJP,” they said.
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Congress assures to scrap
IPB, reverse its decisions
PANJIM: Terming the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) as a “money-making machine” for the BJP-led government in the State, the Congress party on Friday assured to scrap the IPB and reverse all its decisions if voted to power in the 2017 polls. The party also assured to implement the Regional Plan 2021, drafted during its earlier regime, after undertaking necessary rectifications based on public suggestions. “IPB is nothing but a money-making machine for the BJP. It is been introduced to convert all the orchard and agriculture land in the name of investment,” Congress MLA Vishwajit Rane said, addressing media persons.
“If Congress and allies are voted to power, we will scrap the IPB and revert back all its decisions,” Rane said in the presence of his colleague, Curtorim MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco.
The former health minister accused the government of bypassing the RP21 while granting approvals under the IPB. “Why is the government delaying to finalize the RP? It is more than four and half years now since the government is sitting with the land plan and on the other hand allowing rampant illegal activities through its investment board,” Rane said.
When asked, Rane said that once voted to power, Congress would revert back to its original RP21 drafted by the then Digamber Kamat government with the help of experts like architect Charles Correa, Edgar Rebello and others. “It was the best plan. Yes, there were some errors, and the same will be rectified,” he assured.
