South Goa Congress MLAs were unanimous in criticising the BJP government for not taking up any development works in their constituencies but were confident of getting re-elected due to people’s disenchantment with the present government.
Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro does not see any possibility of the Assembly elections being held in the near future and is pretty confident of facing no formidable challenge in his constituency.
“Today I have a data base of around 5000 people in the constituency with whom I am constantly in touch and this never happened earlier,” he said and revealed that he’s busy with the electorate discussing their problems.
He pointed out that except for National Highway no other development can be seen in Goa. Luizinho said, “Navelim has always been a Congress constituency and the people will stay with the party in future,”.
Leader of Opposition Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar asserted that there is no development of any nature happening not only in the constituencies represented by Congress MLAs but even in those represented by the ruling party MLAs.
“We are ready for Assembly elections any time and are confident that the Congress will return to power with an absolute majority given the frustration the people have in the present government,” he said adding that he has no challenger in his constituency.
Former chief minister Digambar Kamat said, “All my works that were sanctioned earlier, were tendered and the work actually started”. “Only God can answer that,” he quipped when asked whether he saw anybody emerging as a challenger to him. “Madganvkars know me very well and will not to fall prey to the government’s attempts to tarnish my image by getting me involved in legal hassles,” he said responding to the cases filed against him.
Felipe Neri Rodrigues lamented that there is no development of any nature in his constituency. “The administration is only giving a lame excuse of GST,” he said adding that the government has failed in generating employment.
Isidore Fernandes who represents the Southernmost constituency however said there was some development in his constituency primarily because he knew how to get the work done. “I am not a new MLA and I know how to embarrass the government by asking questions in the Assembly if my work is not done,” he said. “I have won because of people’s support and right now I am with the people and they are with me,” he said while speaking about his chances at the next assembly elections.
“This is my worst experience as an MLA,” said Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco who has been elected from Curtorim thrice and added that the government has not delivered any of its promises. “On the other hand it has aggravated matters like the taxi owners’ problem or providing employment,” he said.
He said that he takes every election very seriously he said he would not take any chances in future too.
New MLA Clafasio Dias who won the assembly elections by the lowest margin of 33 votes does not foresee any threat.
Wilfred (Babashan) D’Sa said, “No work has been sanctioned even though MLAs were promised works worth Rs 25 crore”.
He said he was confident of winning the next assembly elections as there is no emerging challenger to him.
