MARGAO
In a political development that hogged attention on Sunday, former Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao travelled to a polling booth in Curtorim represented by BJP supporting partner, Independent MLA Reginaldo Lourenco to watch Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Maan Ki Baat programme with local BJP leaders and workers.
Churchill praised the Prime Minister and how the Maan Ki Baat programme has helped to bring about changes in the country. “I like Modi’s way of functioning and how he has ushered peace in the country. There’s Congress blood in the minorities, including Christians and Muslim. But, never had a Prime Minister conduct such a programme, which has helped to usher in development, he said.
That’s not all. His presence at the PM’s Maan Ki Baat programme only fueled speculations whether the former PWD Minister is bracing up to embrace the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. “I haven’t decided to join the BJP, but I will consult my people before taking a decision, if any,” he said.
What has further raised many an eyebrow in local political circles was Churchill’s decision to select a booth in Curtorim constituency to watch the PM’s programme along with BJP workers.
That local BJP leader Anthony Barbosa thundered after the PM’s Maan Ki Baat programme that the party Curtorim workers will all work hard if Churchill decides to join the BJP and contest from Curtorim constituency. Churchill, on the other hand, sought to downplay Barbosa’s statement, saying he hasn’t yet taken a call to join the BJP.
He, however, reminded all and sundry that he had got elected two MLAs from Curtorim, first late Anton Gaunkar on the UGDP banner in 1994 and then incumbent MLA Reginaldo Lourenco on the Save Goa Front party in 2007, adding that he has the capacity to win from Curtorim constituency.
What further came as a big surprise was that Reginaldo has come under attack not just from Churchill, but the local party leader Anthony Barbosa. Notwithstanding that the Curtorim Independent MLA is a supporting partner of the BJP-led government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Anthony Barbosa went hammer and thongs at Reginaldo, blaming the Curtorim MLA for the bad condition of the roads. And along with Churchill, Barbosa claimed that Reginaldo is not giving any free service to the agricultural farmers in Curtorim, but is availing the government subsidy on behalf of the farmers.
Incidentally, both Barbosa and BJP Curtorim leader Dr Sheha Bhagwat said the party workers will go by the diktat of the party on question of supporting the candidate nominated by the party.
Churchill, sources said, was invited by the BJP leadership to watch the PM’s ‘Maan Ki Baat’ on Sunday. That he chose booth no 32 at government primary middle school, Bhatim-Curtorim to watch the PM’s programme assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the recent war of words between him and Reginaldo Lourenco.
