MARGAO
He played perfect host to the political heavyweights, supporters and guests that descended at the Luchel Caminho de Monte to wish him on his birthday. But the birthday
boy, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Luizinho Faleiro, was not willing
to unveil his decision on the oftrepeated question whether he would contest the 2017 Assembly election from Navelim constituency. In fact, when scribes asked him whether he would announce his decision today on the question of contesting the coming polls, Faleiro parried saying that he would answer the question at the right time. “Right now, there’s only one agenda before me “ the agenda of the party and that of the state of Goa. I have no other agenda. All such questions, whether I will contest or not will be answered at the right time,” he added. Faleiro, however, conveyed a message loud and clear that
all is not well in the state under the BJP rule. “I have only one wish that the future of
Goa should be good so that all Goans can live here with self respect. Given the prevailing situation, I feel that the very Goenkarponn and Goan identity is under threat. I only wish that all Goans who live in the state should enjoy all the amenities and a good future,” he said. A stream of visitors, including political heavyweights, descended on Faleiro’s residence throughout Friday to extend their birthday wishes. Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, former Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira, former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao along with family were seen at his residence on Friday morning.
Santa Cruz MLA Babush Monserrate drove all the way from Taleigao to Borda to wish
Faleiro, while former Union Law Minister Adv Ramakant Khalap was also present in the
morning. All India Congress Committee Secretary and in- charge of Goa desk Chella Kumar was at Faleiro’s residence at midnight along with party leaders, including Congress Vice- president Moti Desai to wish him. Local party leaders were expecting AICC General Secretary in- charge of Goa desk, Digvijai Singh and other party leaders to join the celebrations later in the evening. Meanwhile, the Fatorda Block Congress Committee led by Joseph Silva presented a letter of appreciation to the GPCC president for his support and guidance given to the Congress workers of Fatorda and for constituting the block. GPCC spokesman Avinash Tavares stated that the letter stated Fatorda was the block that was formed last after Luizinho’s offer for ghar wapsi of former “opportunist” Congressmen failed. The block has expressed its gratitude for the leadership provided by Faleiro and have also requested him to take the party to greater heights by contesting the upcoming elections and taking on the top job of the Chief Minister of Goa.
