the goan I network
MARGAO
Asserting that Goa cannot be a testing laboratory for political alliances, Congress-turned-BJP MLAs from Salcete, including the taluka lone Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues on Saturday firmly put to rest doubts about any possibility of the 10 MLAs challenging the leadership of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
In fact, Filipe Neri accompanied by Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias made it clear that it was the collective decision of the 10 former Congress MLAs to join the BJP headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
A day after the Goa Forward mooted the Maharashtra alliance model in Goa to rid the state of the BJP government, Filipe Neri said he and Clafacio has decided to clarify their stand as doubts are being created in certain quarters whether the 10 MLAs will stage a rebellion against CM. “I want to clarify that it was the collective decision of the 10 former Congress MLAs to embrace the BJP under the leadership of Sawant. We have full confidence in the CM that he would deliver the goods and fulfill all promises”, Filipe Neri said, adding “there’s no scope or a way to form an alternate government when the MLAs are fullly behind the CM”.
Saying that Goa cannot be a political testing laboratory to test political alliances, the WRD Minister said those mooting the alliances are only dreaming, adding “Goans are wise and intelligent and
there’s no way of destabilizing the government”.
Firmly ruling a change in leadership in Goa, Filipe Neri said the BJP central leadership had taken a conscious decision in favour of Pramod Sawant. “The BJP is a national party and we are too small to answer questions relating to leadership”, he added.
Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias said Sawant is the leader, exuding confidence that he will fulfill the aspirations of Goans.
Coming down heavily on Goa Forward, Clafacio said it was putting spokes in the development of Cuncolim and is now toying with the idea of forming alliance with Sena.
“Those swearing by Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn had no hesitation to
join hands with the BJP, but now cry foul because they are out of power. All 10 Congress MLAs, who joined the BJP are firmly behind the CM”, Clafacio said, exuding confidence the Chief Minister will not let the MLAs down on the development front.
