Herald: The new GPCC chief says that he has been sent to Goa to revive the sagging fortunes of the party in Goa. You have been actively working for the party since the last two years and half both inside the Assembly and outside. Do you really believe that the Goa Congress is hit by a leadership crisis or something else?
Reginaldo: I do not think the Congress is hit by a leadership crisis. There are better leaders than Reginaldo Lourenco and others. There are leaders who are capable of producing better results. There is no dearth of leaders in the Congress. If the High command takes the right decision, Reginaldo is ready to work with them without any conditions. Our leaders should work for the interest of the party and not for their self interest. Our leaders should not only groom young blood, but good leaders.
Herald: At one time, many within the Congress had backed you for the coveted post of GPCC Chief. You too were not opposed to taking over the party reigns. What went wrong then?
Reginaldo: If I was given the responsibility, I can say with confidence that I would have done justice to the post. But, I have no ambitions or aspirations. I am ready to work under anyone. I am not greedy after any post. If the High command takes the right decisions, I will work wholeheartedly in the interest of the party.
Herald: The new GPCC Chief speaks of grooming and inducting new blood in the party. As a young legislator of the Congress, you too had been a strong votary of grooming new faces. How do you think Faleiro should go about the work of spotting the young blood.
Reginaldo: All I can say is that actions should speak louder than words. If action speaks louder than word, then there will be no problem. Inducting new blood should be welcomed by all, but one should encourage young, but good blood without any political godfathers.
Herald: There were many young leaders who had helped the party in the Lok Sabha poll. Will you suggest to the new PCC Chief to induct and groom these leaders to shoulder the responsibilities.
Reginaldo: Let me be very categorical. If the party leadership fails to bring in new leaders by the 2017 Assembly polls, I will be constrained to go to the people and tell them to look out for better options.
Herald: You had bitterly complained against some of the veteran Congressmen for working against you in the Lok Sabha poll. Are you happy with the way the party leadership has handled the issue after the exit of John Fernandes.
Reginaldo: The people of Goa are closely watching the Congress party. If I had complained against some of the Congress party leaders for anti-party activities, I had only voiced the concerns of the people of Goa. It is not the question of Reginaldo complaining against any party leader. The party leadership should take decisions taking into account the interest of the party.
Herald: What is your frank assessment of the state of affairs in the party now. Has the appointment of Faleiro as GPCC chief made any difference to the party in the state?
Reginaldo: Faleiro has spoken many things after taking over the party reigns. But, he has to put his words into action. Faleiro will make the difference only if he translates words into action.
