Shunned by the Congress leadership, former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao is bracing up to formally embrace the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections due within five months. He spoke to Guilherme Almeida on a host of issues, including his decision to join the NCP instead of floating his own regional party and whether the NCP will alliance with the Congress in the election
Q: It’s over a year now since you had been telling the media that you will either join the Congress or contest the coming election from Benaulim as an Independent. What has prompted you to join a political party?
Churchill: Since the Congress did not respond to my offer, I have decided to join the NCP. After all, the NCP was also a part of the Congress party. Moreover, by joining a political party, I can go to the people with my election symbol and start my campaign.
Q: You have been closely associated with the regional parties over the years. This time round, however, you have decided to join a national party.
Churchill: I have floated a couple of regional parties during my career, but what I have observed during my long stint in politics is that the people of Goa do not give a mandate for the local parties. By winning 3-5 seats, regional parties cannot even hope to implement the election manifesto. Unlike the case of Jayalalithaa, Mayawati or Mamata Banerjee, who have ruled the states of Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal respectively, people in Goa have not given a clear cut mandate for the regional forces. Moreover, there was no time left to float a new party with elections just round the corner.
Q: With Luizinho Faleiro heading the Congress party in Goa, many people might have expected that you will have a smooth return to the Congress. What exactly went wrong with your offer to join the Congress?
Churchill: Actually, nothing went wrong. The Congress leadership did not respond to my offer for a year now. I had no option than to set a one-month deadline to decide on my offer. But, the deadline expired without any response. Around the same time, I was approached by the NCP leadership and I decided to join the party. Now, certain Congress leaders are approaching me, but I have told them that I have given NCP leaders my word to join the party. It’s all over now.
Q: Will you do a re-think on supporting Luizinho Faleiro in Navelim if there’s no tie-up between the NCP and the Congress?
Churchill: I would like to remind you that I had pledged my support to Faleiro for the Navelim seat long ago. However, let me tell you that leaders of both the NCP and the Congress will sit and discuss over the alliance.
Q: Reports in political circles suggest that AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh virtually sealed your fate by repeating that persons with criminal cases pending against them will not get tickets.
Churchill: Certain MLAs from the Congress and outside sounded critical about my plans to return to the Congress fold. You know, who these MLAs are. They even issued statements objecting to my homecoming. Finally, I also thought that it’s better to join some other party than to give these leaders an opportunity to rake up unnecessary issues.
Q: Age is catching up with you Churchill Alemao. How would you grapple with the propaganda that it’s time to ring in new blood and say goodbye to the old guard in Goan politics?
Churchill: The 2012 Assembly election had voted many new faces to the Legislative Assembly. Have these MLAs performed to the satisfaction of their people. Experience do counts in politics. Let the people decide whether they want experienced people or new comers.
Q: Do you foresee a tie-up between the NCP and Congress in the election. GPCC President Luizinho Faleiro says that there’s no NCP in Goa with most leaders joining the Congress.
Churchill: The question of alliance will be decided by the High Command of both the parties. I have been told that the NCP will stake claim for around seven seats, including the seats of Benaulim and Vasco. If the Congress does not reciprocate our gesture for an alliance, then the NCP will field candidates in 30-35 seats. Congress leaders should not underestimate the NCP. They will realise NCP’s strength in the coming election.
