Never lobbied to install wife as civic chief: Jose Philip

Never lobbied to install wife as civic chief: Jose Philip
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, NOV 9
Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza on Tuesday made it clear that he never made an effort to install his wife Neny as chairperson of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC).
Speaking to media persons at their residence, D’Souza along with his wife Neny stated that it was the propaganda of their rivals to break his group and form the council.
“I never claimed that I would install my wife as the chairperson, in fact it was other then my wife would be the chairperson, if my panel had formed the council,” stated the revenue minister.
He claimed it was single point propaganda of his rivals that D’Souza is trying to install Neny as chairperson.
“I was never in the race, as I had made it very clear immediately after the election result that I am not interested in chairperson’s post. If people wish that I should be given an opportunity for the chairperson’s post and if need arises, then I will think over it,” stated Neny.
She further said that it was propaganda of her rival group that she was interested in occupying the chair.
“My husband is a minister and I can easily carry out development works in my ward. Why would I require chairperson’s post,” she asked.
D’Souza said that it is an alliance of Congress-BJP with the support of businessman from Vasco, who have clubbed together to defeat D’Souza.
“Where did the secular ideology of Congress go now? Just to defeat D’Souza, Congress-backed Councillors Nitin Chopdekar and Saifullah Khan joined hands with Mormugao BJP MLA Milind Naik,” he said.
He also criticized Mormugao BJP MLA Milind Naik, who was in good terms with him prior to the election. “Both Milind Naik and Suchita Shirodkar has back stabbed me,” claimed D’Souza.