Navelim: Valanka Alemao is a new entrant on new turf. But she is hemmed by two veteran warhorses in Goan politics – her father Churchill and the former MLA of Navelim, who paved way for her to contest, Luizinho Faleiro, TMC MP, who she called her ‘Godfather’.
Speaking to Herald, Valanka said that she has received a massive positive response from the people of Navelim. “Today as I walked and met several people in Navelim I was welcomed like their own daughter, the wishes and blessings given to me by the elders have boosted my confidence and also given me the vibe that they will support and elect me as their MLA.”
“I am very blessed to have both my father (Churchill Alemao) and my Godfather (Luizinho Faleiro) beside me and supporting me. Mr. Faleiro is like my father who has blessed me, everyone thought that Luizinho Faleiro will contest from Navelim or his son might contest but no. Faleiro sir has blessed me and gave me a chance to contest from Navelim,” she said in a conversation during her door-to-door campaign.
Valanka started off her campaign after seeking blessings at the Navelim Church, accompanied by TMC National Vice-President Luizinho Faleiro and her father, who is the TMC candidate from Benaulim.
Edwin Cipru, ZP member, Belinda Gonsalves, Sarpanch of Navelim panchayat and several other Panch members, joined them.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister of Goa and 7-time Navelim MLA and present Rajya Sabha MP Luizinho Faleiro said, “I can see that people of Navelim have shown the same love and support to Valanka Alemao that I have been receiving my entire life. People have accepted Valanka and I’m sure the same will be seen when she will be elected as their MLA. Valanka can defeat the BJP and not voting for Valanka will be same as voting for BJP, because most of the other candidates are linked and internally supporting the BJP.
“This time many are asking me ‘why you haven’t contested or your son is not contesting?’ but I said that ‘you people from Navelim have blessed me and elected me seven times, but Valanka is like my daughter, therefore whether I contest or someone from my family contest is the same, she is my family, I am not going to leave politics, hence I urge the people of Goa to come out and vote’,” he said.
“Today all panchayats from Navelim have united as one to support Valanka,” added ZP member Edwin Cipru. The campaigners walked through the bylanes and knocked on each door.
