SALIGAO: Boxing champion Lenny Da Gama and former Indian football defender Denzil Franco joined Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday, in the presence of TMC leader Yatish Naik, who himself resigned from the Congress last week and joined the TMC in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.
Naik appealed to the people of Goa to join hands with All India Trinamool Congress to defeat the BJP in Goa and at the Centre so that people of Goa and India can see a new dawn. He also reiterated his statement that TMC has no high command in Goa, Goa is the high command and Goa will decide for TMC. Presently the way the BJP was swept out from West Bengal the time has come for Goa to unite and support Trinamool Congress to defeat the BJP, he said.
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The two sports stars will be members of the party’s Goa unit. West Bengal’s Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Manoj Tiwary and Party’s Member of Parliament Prasun Banerjee were present for the induction on Saturday morning. TMC has announced that it will be contesting the upcoming Goa Legislative Assembly elections in all 40 constituencies.
Former Indian football defender Franco said he has seen many political leaders and ministers in his life, but the ideology that Didi (Mamata Banerjee) has and her energy has made him take a call and join Trinamool Congress with a mission to do good for the people of Saligao, moreover for the people of Goa. “Goa has given me lots of love and support in the past, now it’s time to give them back the love by doing good for them which they have been fooled by the ruling BJP,” he said.
Addressing the gathering Franco said, “We are here to run the government not to fool the people in the name of government. Today, if you see, sports has developed so much in Kolkata but Goa has nothing. In Kolkata sportsmen have jobs and various schemes but in Goa sportsmen have nothing not even a shawl.”
He also took a dig at the government for failing in providing basic amenities like water, electricity, basic infrastructure and more, and spoke about issues faced by people in their daily routine. Today there are no proper roads, no proper football pitches or grounds. “Where will a sportsman go if he wants to train and develop in sports,” Franco asked. “I am a sportsman, I have represented India what has the government given me? But in Kolkata 90% of the sportsmen are given jobs, better facilities and more over respect. I am not promising Taj Mahal but under the leadership of Mamata Didi at least I, after joining TMC, will work for the betterment of Saligao and provide basic amenities that will help Goa to go ahead, especially for the sportsmen and my people of Goa,” Franco said.
On the other hand, boxing champion and vice president of Goa Boxing Association Lenny Da Gama said, “I have travelled to many places and met many people but Mamata Didi is one of her kind, she is tiger and fighter who has fought for the better of the people. Today that is what Goa needs.” He added that Goa needs better governance and better leaders like Mamata.
“I recall the recent visit paid by MP Prasun Banerjee at my residence, such a big MP coming to my house was a big thing for me as a common man and when he came and spoke to about various issues and also about Didi and her ideology and love towards Goa and sports, that very moment I decided to work for Trinamool Congress and with Trinamool Congress,” he added.
When Herald questioned Gama if he will contest the upcoming polls on TMC ticket in Saligao, he said, “I have not joined TMC to get a ticket but I have joined to work for the people under Didi’s guidance and take Goa ahead.”
