Goemkarponn desk
CALANGUTE: A day after the induction of Michael Lobo into the party fold, Congress faced major rebellion after its Calangute block members, including former MLA Agnelo Fernandes, tendered their resignation.
The entire block is expected to join the Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) Goa unit.
“We the Calangute Block of Congress has resigned over the induction of Michael Lobo; we are not at all happy with this induction, no one was consulted before going ahead this decision, there is absolutely no loyalty left in the Congress; Digambar Kamat and Girish Chodankar only give respect to vitamin M and are doing deals for tickets,” said Former MLA Agnelo Fernandes.
He further said that they will campaign against the Congress candidates in Bardez taluka, claiming that if Lobo says he can work in Bardez taluka, we too can work against the Congress in Bardez.
Calangute Block Congress Committee president Benedict D’Souza said that senior Congress leader and Goa election observer P Chidambaram had categorically stated during a meeting at Candolim held three months back that party tickets would be allotted with active consultation of the block committee members.
D’Souza further said that Chidambaram had also mentioned that integrity, loyalty, and credibility would be the pre-requisites for a Congress ticket, and it was decided at the meeting, candidates would only be selected through the list of names submitted by the respective Block Congress Committees.
“Calangute Block Congress Committee had already selected three names, i.e. Joseph Sequeira, Agnelo Fernandes and Anthony Menezes and the names were sent to the screening committee and the Pradesh Election Committee (PEC),” said D’Souza.
Former Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira claimed that he was surprised with the entry of Michael and his wife into the Congress, claiming that the decision was taken without consulting the block committee.
“the We all are very hurt with this decision and now entire Congress party will be finished in the state,” he said
They further said that their future course of action on contesting the elections will be decided shortly.
“From now on, our slogan will be Congress Hatao Goa Bachao; Lobo will take all Congress winning candidates into the BJP,” said Fernandes.
Agnelo also claimed that the BJP approached them but they did not want an alliance with the saffron party.
Ex BJP MLA and Minister Michael Lobo yesterday joined the Congress party today, his wife Delilah Lobo, and other supporters.
They were inducted into the party by Congress Goa Desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao, CLP leader Digambar Kamat in the presence of other party leaders.
Lobo had resigned as BJP MLA and Minister yesterday. His induction in the party was delayed by a day due to strong opposition by the Congress aspirants in the Calangute constituency.
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