Rubbishing reports on the social media that he will join the BJP before the coming election, Nationalist Congress party (NCP) leader Churchill Alemao on Monday did not rule out the possibility of the NCP, Vijai Sardesai’s Goa Forward party and Babush Monserrate’s outfit coming together to fight the 2017 Assembly election if the Congress is opposed to an alliance of secular and like-minded forces.
Churchill said he had talks with both Vijai Sardesai and Babush Monserrate on the formation of a third force since the Congress does not reciprocate on the alliance offer. “I have discussed the issue of alliance with Vijai and Babush and talks are underway. It will all depend on the Congress response to the offer of alliance from the secular and like-minded parties," Churchill said, adding that the NCP will stake claim for seven seats in the coming election.
Addressing the media he denied social media reports stating that he is joining the BJP. Churchill said he has never aligned with the BJP in his political career nor will do so in the future. “The person who has put the report on the social media is aligned with my political rivals in Benaulim. But, the people of Benaulim know for sure who is the person who had been wearing the BJP saffron cap during the last five years”, Churchill said, adding that he will never align with the BJP, whose roots are linked to the RSS and the Bajrang Dal.
“I did not support the Vajpayee government when I became the MP for the first time in 1996. Even when we were called by the BJP leadership led by L K Advani to support the join the BJP after the 2007 election, I had rejected the request on grounds that the BJP ideology is closely linked to the RSS and the Bajrang Dal," he added.
Replying to a question, he firmly ruled out the question of leaving the NCP, saying he has already kicked off his campaign in Benaulim and has so far held 40-50 meetings across the constituency. “In the 2012 elections, these very same people had raked up the issue of family raj. And, now they are out to misguide the people saying I am joining the BJP," Churchill said, adding that people of Benaulim constituency have in one voice demanded the rejection of the communal forces and all those who hobnobbed with the BJP during the last five years.
On the BJP claim that Dabolim will not be shut down after Mopa becomes operational, Churchill reminded that two airports cannot co-exist within a short radius, saying that Dabolim can be further expanded if the adjoining factor spares land for the airport project. He said the NCP will go all out to oppose the nationalization of rivers, saying the decision will spell doom for the rivers.
