Match point? Soccer brings Faleiro, Sardinha together

MARGAO, AUG 22
A football match at Fatorda grounds on Sunday evening brought Congress stalwarts under a common platform, but the assembly also raised eyebrows in the camp of Salcete’s powers that be.
The odd man out on the platform might have been BJP Fatorda MLA Damu Naik, but the presence of Congress Working Committee member Luizinho Faleiro and South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha was enough to give anxious moments to their detractors. And, not to mention Congress Mahila Chief Monica Dias, former MLA and Minister, Luis Alex Cardozo, besides Councilor Piedade Norohna – the bete noire of GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardessai.
The assembly of these political stalwarts comes against the backdrop of reports that the former Navelim MLA, Luizinho Faleiro might throw his hat in the ring in the next Assembly hustings in either Fatorda or Navelim.
But, apparently aware that his presence at the football venue may be kick off a row of sorts, Faleiro sought to play down his presence by saying that he is on the platform given his long relationship with late Assis Norohna – in whose memory the soccer tourney was organized by the Late Assis Norohna memorial Trust. Faleiro took the opportunity to pay rich tributes to Assis, saying it’s difficult to get good contractors like Assis in the present times and recalled his participation in many a movement, including language, statehood, for recognition of rights of the OBCs and STs.
Incidentally, when these stalwarts were busy watching the football match at Fatorda, the GPCC general secretary was at the Chowgule grounds, attending another football final.
“I don’t see much in the assortment of political leaders at Fatorda this evening. Faleiro is a seasoned politicians and I don’t expect him to make inroads in a constituency by attending a football match”, he said.
Saying that he is not at all disturbed by the development, Sardessai said the presence of these leaders is not inimical to him. “I don’t consider the presence of these leaders as a hindrance to me. When the time comes, voters and the party will decide who has been with them always”, he added.
Incidentally, sources in the know said the presence of Luizinho and Sardinha on one platform has also left other powers that be unnerved in the typical alignments and realignments along Salcete’s political landscape.
PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao said Luizinho-Sardinha duo will not be able to match his close aide Vijay Sardesai in Fatorda. “I am told that BJP MLA was present for the finals. Even if the Congress duo aligns with the BJP MLA, nothing will affect Sardessai”, he asserted.