TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Politics took centre stage at Fatorda’s Big Fat Carnival blast on Saturday with a group of five MLAs – three Independents and a Congress and BJP MLA – coming together and pledging to work on issues affecting Goa and Goans.
The five MLAs – BJP’s Michael Lobo, Congress’ Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Independents Vijai Sardessai, Rohan Khaunte and Naresh Sawal – held hands in a rare show of unity before the huge audience.
While Sawal sent a message loud and clear to the audience that the five MLAs are together, the Fatorda MLA in his speech dropped clear hints on the formation of a new regional outfit.
“We are five together. And, we want to take you along with us for the betterment of Goa. We want your support in our endeavour,” Sawal told the gathering.
His Porvorim counterpart Rohan Khaunte said all the five MLAs will speak the language of the people. “Your problem is our problem. If we need to do what Goemkars want, we all have to be together. We have to stand united,” Khaunte said, amidst loud cheers from the audience.
While BJP MLA Michael Lobo reminded the audience that he had come to Fatorda last year also to celebrate Carnival, Congress MLA Lourenco said, “We all are one on one issue that we have to do what Goans want. What Goans want we have to give them with integrity and honesty.”
Earlier, the Fatorda MLA made it clear to his supporters that people of Goa will get a new direction in the coming days, saying that things should crystallise around Easter. Sardesai even assured the people that the new group will bring an amendment to the Madhya Pradesh Sound Pollution Act by bringing changes in the timings as per Goan requirements.
“We have to teach the Goa government a lesson. The time has come for Goans to decide for themselves. We will come to you for your blessings. We need the blessings of St Francis Xavier, Lord Damodar, the blessings of elders and Goans at large. We want the take all people together irrespective of caste or creed for the common good of Goa,” Sardesai told the gathering.
