the goan I network
MARGAO
Cuncolim Congress MLA Clafacio Dias on Thursday told party workers that he will not take any decision on quitting the Congress without consulting his supporters.
A couple of congress workers point blank told the MLA that they will stand by the Congress if he decides to quit the party and embrace the BJP. Asserting that they will never vote for the BJP.
Denying plans to quit the Congress, Clafacio, made it clear to his supporters that he will not be able to provide jobs to them by being in the opposition. Stating that he will not lag behind in ushering development in his constituency, the MLA further made it clear that he will not be able to give donations and sponsorship for programs.
Clafacio also used the opportunity to take potshots at the Goa Forward party (GFP) for alleged obstruction to development works in Cuncolim.
The Cuncolim MLA had called the meeting of his workers and supporters at Guirdolim village to celebrate the birthday of a Congress worker as well as the victory of Francisco Sardinha in the recently held Lok Sabha election.
All eyes were focused on the Clafacio at the meeting against the backdrop of reports that he is amongst a few Congress MLAs planning to quit the party to join the BJP-led ruling dispensation.“I have heard that four Congress MLAs are leaving the party, but I have not taken any such decision. I have not approached the BJP. Our senior leaders should know that donations are the highest in Cuncolim. We have people from all religious communities in Cuncolim and there’s no dearth of requests for donations. People feel bad when their requests for donation is not met,” he said, adding that he will consult his supporters before taking any decision.
The MLA also urged his supporters not pressure him on providing jobs. “Don’t put pressure on me to give you jobs. I will not be able to provide you the jobs,” he said.
He accused the GFP leaders for hindering developmental works in Cuncolim. “Goa Forward is blocking my development in Cuncolim and you know whom they are promoting in the constituency. They don’t want me to shine. No one should come in the way of development,” he added.
Senior Congress leader, Moti Desai, told the Congress supporters that Clafacio is not going anywhere and will remain with the party. “Our opponents want Clafacio to leave the party. They say 10 MLAs will leave the Congress party, but I want say that Clafacio will remain with the Congress. Our MLA is being harassed by his opponents, but will not go anywhere,” Moti asserted.
