TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Valanka Alemao was unlucky for the third time in her bid for the Congress ticket for the South Goa seat, but made it clear that she and the Youth Congress workers would work for the success of the party candidate in South Goa.
She had staked claim for the party ticket in the 2007 by-poll and the 2009 general elections, but this time round, Valanka says, she did not stake the claim, but her name was suggested by the Congress leadership. “I have no ill-feeling that the Congress leadership did not consider my candidature. I have always worked hard in life and have been a fighter. I have started my political career with a defeat, but I am a fighter”, she said.
On the chances of the party candidate in South Goa, Valanka said, “No individual is bigger than the party. We must work hard. The Congress has only four MLAs. We are running short of time. We have a clear-cut task ahead of us”, she said.
Asked whether she feels disappointed with the Congress decision to nominate Reginaldo for the seat, Valanka said the high command has taken using their wisdom, but asserted that she would do whatever best she can do to garner votes for Reginaldo.
Asked to comment on rumours that the Alemaos may not work for the party candidate, Valanka shot back, “For me, the party is bigger than the candidate. I will not work against the party candidate. I will personally get down to campaign for Reginaldo along with Youth Congress workers”.
