MARGAO
Congress stronghold Curtorim is in a state of political flux, literally. When Congress national leader Rahul Gandhi extended his birthday wishes to Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco a little over three months ago, many had thought and believed that the political crisis facing Congress, in the wake of speculations that the MLA has decided to switch sides, is over.
Much water has flown down the Zuari river since September 5 and politics hasn’t remained the same in Curtorim, with new political players out leaving no stone unturned to edge out the Congress from its stronghold in a bid to make space in the constituency, which has been voting the Congress over the last four decades, barring the 1994 and 2007 elections.
Even as Reginaldo decided to stay put in the Congress amidst strong speculations over his reported move to embrace the Aam Aadmi Party, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party had other plans in Curtorim.
Anxious to position itself ahead of the 2022 polls, the AAP leadership had taken everyone by surprise when the party welcomed with open arms ST leader and three-time ZP member Dominic Gaunkar in the party-fold, a move that is expected to keep AAP in good stead in Curtorim in the coming polls.
With the Congress rewarding Reginaldo with the Working President’s post, sources in Congress circles believed that the reward was part of the package offered by the Congress leadership to the three-time MLA to stay put in the Congress. Speculations were rife in Congress circles then that the Congress leadership may keep Reginaldo even in the loop over the selection of candidates, maybe in a constituency or two.
The manner in which Reginaldo has been closely and actively associated with party matters, as evident by his involvement during Rahul Gandhi’s visit, dished out a message that the three-time MLA has carved out a niche for himself in the party and has secured his re-nomination in 2022.
Then broke out his midnight presence at a Panjim-based hotel, where top BJP leaders were putting up to discuss poll strategy, which stirred a hornet’s nest in political circles leaving the Congress embarrassed and red-faced, but Reginaldo somehow managed to steer clear of the controversy.
It was at this juncture, sources say, the BJP decided to make its move to establish its presence felt in Curtorim, virtually unveiling its plan for 2022. With Reginaldo’s challenger, ex-Zilla Panchayat member Moreno Rebello out in the cold in the unfolding developments in the Congress, the BJP leadership, in a smart move, managed to wean away Moreno from the opposition party into the saffron camp.
Exactly 10 days ago, coinciding with Priyanka Gandhi’s visit to Margao, the BJP leadership inducted Moreno into the party, giving clear signals to the Congress that the ruling party means business in Curtoirm for the ensuing polls.
Many had thought that Moreno’s exit from the Congress and his entry into the BJP will put a stop to leaders changing parties in Curtorim. New entrant Trinamool Congress, however, was yet to make its presence felt in Curtorim. If sources are to be believed, TMC poll managers have been in touch with Reginaldo since day one, wooing the three-time MLA to switch sides.
After tendering his resignation, Reginaldo’s phone has been on switch off mode, with many saying the three-time MLA has headed to Kolkata.
The focus of attention is again back in the Congress as the party leadership will have to find out the second rung leadership to fill up the void left behind by Reginaldo and Moreno.
Campaigned with Reginaldo till Sun, Curtorim Cong block chief shocked
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
The cell phone of Curtorim Congress block committee chief Milagres Fernandes did not stop ringing since Monday morning, with the block president receiving more than 60-70 calls since the time news spread like wildfire across Curtorim that the Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco has quit office.
In fact, Milagres and the party rank and file has been left shocked as news unfolded since morning that Reginaldo has quit the party. What has come as a big surprise to Milagres and his committee members is the fact that he along with Reginaldo had been actively campaigning for the Congress across Curtorim for the last few days.
Even on Sunday, Reginaldo with Milagres and party workers in tow had campaigned in Curtorim till 1.30 pm.
“We were shocked to learn that Reginaldo has quit Congress. He had covered a lot of ground in the last few days, urging the people to bring back Congress to power. Even yesterday, Reginaldo appealed to the voters to vote and elect Congress to power. I do not know how he would face these very same people if he decides to contest the election on some other party banner”, Milagres said.
Congress put on hunting mode after another exit
MARGAO:
The Congress leadership may go on a hunting expedition in Curtorim to zero in on a potential candidate, strong enough to take on the might of Reginaldo Lourenco, and to stop the ruling BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party. Reason: Two of the three candidates, Reginaldo Lourenco and Moreno Rebello have quit the party, leaving only Camurlim Sarpanch Basil Fernandes on the list of Congress candidates.
While Moreno was the first to quit Congress to embrace BJP, Reginaldo has followed suit on Monday, leaving the party leadership to either stick to Basil Fernandes or to hunt for a new candidate for the coming polls.
While ST leader Joseph Vaz may offer himself as a party candidate, sources said the name of Vaz was not recommended by the block during the election process. “It still isn’t clear how the party leadership will go about shortlisting the Congress candidate for Curtorim at this late juncture”, remarked a Curtorim block member.
Sardinha rules out fighting Curtorim
MARGAO:
South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, who hails from Curtorim village, has firmly ruled himself out of the fray in the coming Assembly election from Curtorim but hastened to add that he would go all out to get the Congress candidate elected from the constituency.
While declining to comment on the exit of Reginaldo Lourenco, Sardinha further pointed out that he would ensure that the Congress fields a strong candidate in Curtorim and ensure that the party retains the seat.
“Leaders might have left Congress in Curtorim, but I can assure you the people are solidly behind the party. I will propose a strong candidate for the Curtorim seat to ensure that the party flag flies high in the constituency in the 2022 election”, Sardinha added.
Result of not respecting loyalty: Moreno Rebello
MARGAO:
Congress-turned-BJP leader Moreno Rebello on Monday asserted there’s no question of returning to the Congress fold with arch-rival Reginaldo Lourenco severing ties with the party.
Moreno, who had quit the Congress on December 10 to embrace the ruling BJP, has said what has happened in the Curtorim Congress is because the Congress does not know to respect loyalty. In fact, he charged the Congress leadership for the state of affairs of the party, saying the Congress has a history of rewarding indiscipline.
“When leaders speak venom on the party, the party does not initiate action. On the contrary, the party has rewarded such leaders, demoralizing the loyal party soldiers”, he added.
When asked whether there’s any possibility of returning to the Congress fold following the latest political development, Moreno said “I know politics is not static, but dynamic. But, I have decided to stay put with the BJP. I have already started my campaign for the Curtorim Assembly election on the BJP banner”.
