the goan I network
MARGAO
Calling for a revamp of the Congress organization in Goa, outspoken three-time Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco has called for a change in the state party leadership to gear up to face future challenges.
Questioning GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar’s rationale in contesting the Lok Sabha election from North Goa when the Congress was facing as many as six elections, two Lok Sabha and four bypolls, Reginaldo was clear in saying the state Congress president should not have contested the Lok Sabha poll, but should have instead led the party in the election.
Calling for a change in the state Congress leadership, Reginaldo said “we need a leadership which will gear up for the coming Assembly polls. I have seen enough of leaders, who do not hesitate to flaunt their loyalties”.
“Though the Congress has won the South Goa seat and the Panjim seat, the fight is not over yet. We have to continue our movement, but it depends on who will be there
to lead the party. There are some people who do not want to fight. They prefer to make a compromise than fight”, he said.
Saying that the task before the party is too big, Reginaldo asserted that the party in Goa needs a revamp, adding that the whole perception of the party in the state has to change. “The way things are going in the Congress in Goa, we have to infuse new blood, new systems and gear up for the future challenges”, he added.
Saying that leaders like him will continue the battle against the BJP, Reginaldo said “my spirit will never go down. We will continue to fight for the people of Goa”.
Asked about the party’s failure in Shiroda and Mandrem, Reginaldo said a straight contest would have ensured BJP’s defeat, adding the delay by the party in declaring the candidates also took its own toll.
At the national level, Reginaldo said whether the BJP likes it or not, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is the only formidable opposition leader, who can take on the BJP. “Both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi made Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP slog on the ground”, he said.
On Francisco Sardinha’s victory, Reginaldo said Sardinha has won because the people of South Goa have voted for the Congress. “We had all worked for Sardinha even though I do not enjoy good relations with him as he had always opposed me. We also made sure that Aam Aadmi party did not take away our votes”, he said, adding that the people are no longer ready to vote for a candidate, whose presence is only to split the votes.
