TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: AICC Secretary Dr Chella Kumar, who is down in Goa on the Congress campaign trail, claimed that disgruntled senior Congress leader Francisco Sardinha and Churchill Alemao’s daughter Valanka will support the party, and not their kin, during the election campaign.
“I met Sardinha in the morning (Wednesday). He said he won’t support his son Shallom. (Youth Congress president) Valanka will also not support her father. Both will campaign for the party,” he said in reply to a media question.
Chella Kumar however failed reply clearly whether the party would demand an apology or take action against Sardinha for his anti-party utterances, after being denied South Goa ticket. “We will discuss everything in the party forum…” he said.
To another query about rebellion within the party over the distribution of tickets, Chella Kumar maintained, “the selection of candidates is at the discretion of CEC. We give opportunity to experienced men as also new faces…In a political system everything has to happen. We will resolve the issue and all work together for the victory of Congress.”
Dr Wilfred D’Souza, who offered his support to the Congress, echoed a similar opinion claiming that the candidates in both the seats will be replaced. “Nomination is the final thing. There cannot be any speculation about changing of candidates. The decision comes from the central election committee and once it is announced, it is the final word,” he said.
Sardinha has been opposing the Congress in public after being denied the ticket to re-contest from South Goa.
While addressing his supporters in South Goa, Sardinha asked them not to vote for Congress and support his son, who he said would contest against the other political rivals. Alemao walked out of the party last Saturday after Valanka was denied the ticket.
