Fr D’Silva has, however, rejected the criticism, but admitted that he had taken interest in the completion of the roadwork as the pastor of Calangute.
Having sparred with Calangute MLA Michael Lobo over developmental works in Calangute, Sequeira turned his ire towards the Calangute Parish Priest Fr Cypriano D’Silva, accusing the priest of his close proximity to the Calangute MLA.
It may be recalled that Fr D’Silva had taken interest in completion of the road works near the church in view of the Feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception on December 8. JICA officials, who were undertaking sewage works, had assured to complete the road works before the feast.
“The Calangute MLA had assured to complete the road works before the feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception and our Parish Priest Fr Cypriano D’Silva was a party to it. But till today, the roads near the Church are incomplete. Why is the parish priest of Calangute silent over the issue,” asked Sequeira.
“The roads are not ready even today and the parish priest of Calangute is to be blamed as he has been getting involved in developmental works at the behest of the Calangute MLA. If not for involvement of our parish priest, we would have taken up the works through Panchayat funds.” alleged Sequeira.
When contacted, Fr D’Silva refuted all allegations of Sequeira. “I took interest in the incomplete road works as pastor of Calangute, as our parishioners would have been the ultimate sufferers on account of the feast.”
“I was not a part of survey team of Michael Lobo. Sequeira should verify the facts before hitting out,” said Fr D’Silva.
“What has the Calangute Panchayat done to complete the works? Nothing, other than being at loggerheads with the Calangute MLA. The Calangute Panchayat should have completed the road works if the Calangute MLA or JICA had failed to do so.”
“The JICA officials have taken the people for granted and the villagers of Calangute are also not bothered and so I was forced to take the initiative in the interest of parishioners of Calangute,” Fr D’Silva added.
