the goan I network
MARGAO
Days after the Goa Forward Party juggernaut rolled into Cuncolim, local Congress MLA Clafacio Dias has hit back at the GFP and the Alemaos, making clear that even if TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai tries to block the development in the constituency, he would fight for it as per the mandate given to him by the people.
The Cuncolim MLA also refuted allegations levelled against him by Cuncolim Municipal Council Vice-chairperson Shashank Desai on the development front and defended saying he has managed to get development works worth crores of rupees despite being in the opposition.
Flanked by CMC Chairperson Lavita Mascarenhas, five councillors and former sarpanch of Paroda Deepak Kharangate, the Cuncolim MLA told the media on Wednesday that he would fight back if the TCP Minister tries to block development in Cuncolim. “People of Cuncolim have given me the mandate in 2017 to serve them for five years. I will continue my work”
“After joining the GFP recently, Yuri went to the TCP Minister to strengthen the power infrastructure without knowing that a tender worth Rs 7.57 crore has already been floated and will be executed soon,” he said.
The Cuncolim MLA exuded confidence that the people will not fall prey to false propaganda unleashed by the GFP and Yuri Alemao. “Yuri was rejected by the people of Sanguem despite the fact that Joaquim Alemao had given jobs meant for the unemployed youth from Cuncolim. Joaquim had also shifted power equipment meant for Cuncolim to Sanguem, but his son could not win,” he said.
On Shashank Desai’s charge of zero development in Cuncolim, Clafacio said development works worth crores of rupees have been tendered and will be taken up soon. He also termed as baseless and false allegations levelled by Shashank that the MLA was pressurizing him to clear his security deposit amounting to Rs 35 lakh. “This is false and baseless. I have already told my lawyer to send a legal notice on the CMC to release my security deposit with interest. It is my right to claim my security deposit and I will get the amount through legal means,” he said.
CMC Chairperson Lavita Mascarenhas said there’s no question of the MLA pressurising the CMC VC to release Clafacio’s security deposit. “File pertaining to security deposit comes to the Chairperson, Chief Officer and the technical section. There’s no question of pressurising the VC for the simple reason the file does not go to him,” Lavita added.
