MARGAO
Apologising to the people of Curtorim for his mistake in taking decisions without consulting them, former MLA Reginaldo Lourenco on Monday said people as well as his supporters have told him to return to the Congress fold.
He said he has left the decision on his re-entry into the Congress to the High Command.
While saying he would contest the February 14 Assembly elections from Curtorim, Reginaldo, however, parried a question how he would go about in the event the Congress does not nominate him as the candidate, only saying “once I take a decision, I will stick to the it”.
Sources said Reginaldo reportedly met Opposition leader Digambar Kamat late Sunday night and also called on Congress Goa desk in-charge, Dinesh Gundu Rao, before the latter headed to Delhi for a meeting of the party leadership.
Addressing the media, the former Congress MLA said he quit TMC bowing to the sentiments of the people of Curtorim, who wanted him to do a re-think on his political course.
“I was questioned by the people why I have joined an outside party, saying my decision will split the votes that would only benefit the third party. I listened to the voice of my supporters. I apologize to my workers and supporters and the people of Curtorim who had placed their trust in me. I hurt their sentiments,” he added.
Reginaldo said he realized what was on the other side after joining the TMC. He said the promise to work out an alliance with the Congress and other things did not work on the ground.
Saying the people of Goa are looking for a good government in 2022, he asserted his people have told him to join the Congress party. “My people come first and there’s nothing beyond that. They are my ticket and I cannot go against their wishes,” he said, while declining to comment when asked whether the Congress is ready to open the doors for him or give him the Curtorim ticket.
When asked to react to BJP-turned-Congress leader Michael Lobo’s statement requesting him to join the Congress, Reginaldo said, “I know Michael has only tweeted that I should join the Congress. Beyond that, I don’t have to say anything.”
He added, “Let the Congress High Command decide about my request to join the party. At this stage, the people have told me to join the Congress.”
