MARGAO
Former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao has hit back at South Goa Congress MP Francisco Sardinha and Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai, blaming the duo for the rise of BJP in Goa in the last two decades.
Churchill further said he has not taken any decision either to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from South Goa or to join the BJP. He, however, announced that son Savio will make his political debut from Benaulim in the 2027 Assembly election, while daughter Valanka will contest from neighbouing Navelim.
Addressing the media days after the South Goa MP and the Goa Forward Chief separately attacked the former PWD Minister after he stated that the BJP will win both the Lok Sabha seats, Churchill reiterated his stand that the BJP will win both the Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 polls.
Referring to the recent statements made by MP Sardinha and Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai, Churchill asserted that it was Sardinha who brought the BJP to power in the state. He further said that Vijai Sardesai’s support to the BJP after the 2017 Assembly election saw the BJP returning back to rule the state when the people had rejected the ruling party.
“With what face is Sardinha saying that Churchill is with the BJP. Was it Sardinha who paved the way for the BJP to gain power in Goa. Was it not Sardinha who dislodged the Luizinho Faleiro government to become the Chief Minister with the support the BJP”, Churchill questioned.
Referring to Sardinha’s comments that he is responsible behind the defections and corruption in the state, Churchill shot back “was Sardinha not the same Minister who was accused in the infamous marks scandal. As a politician, I was lodged in jail, but the charges against me have not been proved till date”.
Churchill pointed out that he had extended support to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant because he hails from the Bahujan Samaj. “As minuscule section of the people feels it is their birth right to rule and others to follow. This same section is now after my blood for extending support to CM Sawant”, he said.
Churchill reiterated his demand that the works under the MPLAD scheme should be placed before the public domain. He demanded to know that all the works executed by the MPs after the funds were increased to Rs five crore every year should be placed before the public domain.
ON the 2024 polls, Churchill said he has not decided whether to contest the LS polls or not. He, however, pointed out that peace prevails in the country since the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over the reigns of office in 2014.
