MLA turns to grassroots connect, distributes overhead water tanks to constituents
Nuvem BJP MLA Aleixo Sequeira interacting with his constituents at the water tank distribution programme in the village.
MARGAO
On a day when political attention was riveted on the State capital, with anticipation building around the distribution of portfolios to newly inducted Ministers — Digambar Kamat and Ramesh Tawadkar — outgoing Minister Aleixo Sequeira made a quiet yet powerful return to his constituency, Nuvem.
Wearing a face mask, Sequeira arrived at Palavara de Jardin in Nuvem, where a crowd of constituents awaited him eagerly. The reason: the Nuvem MLA had scheduled a distribution drive for overhead water tanks, a much-needed relief for residents struggling with water scarcity due to inadequate storage facilities.
Apparently taking the BJP leadership’s recent decision to replace him in the Pramod Sawant Cabinet with Margao MLA Digambar Kamat in his stride, Sequeira was back on the ground — engaging with residents, listening to their concerns, and delivering on promises. His message was clear: with or without a ministerial berth, he remains committed to serving the people of Nuvem.
The overhead water tank distribution scheme, which Sequeira conceptualised nearly two years ago, was funded through the Rs 2.5 crore MLA Development Fund. “I launched this scheme after seeing the hardships people faced due to water shortages,” Sequeira explained. “To address their needs, I decided to provide water tanks, ensuring they have storage to make the most of the available supply.”
Sequeira proudly claimed that Nuvem is the only constituency in Goa where such a large-scale water tank distribution programme has been undertaken. He also took the opportunity to thank Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, acknowledging the support he received both during his tenure as Minister and for the implementation of the water tank scheme. This is the second time Sequeira has publicly expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister after his Cabinet exit.
“The government sanctioned around 4,000 water tanks under the MLA Development Fund scheme,” he noted. “I don’t have the exact number of beneficiaries so far, but I know there are still many waiting. My commitment is to ensure that every deserving household receives a tank, depending on production and availability.”
Political observers say that Sequeira's actions on the ground have again reiterated that health issues were no ground for his replacement, as was made out to be in certain political circles. He had asserted that he had decided to quit the Cabinet due to personal reasons.
What’s next on Sequeira’s agenda?
Pose this simple question to the seasoned political campaigner post-exit from the Pramod Sawant Cabinet and apt comes a reply: “I will try and fulfil all the promises I made to the people of Nuvem constituency.”
One of the eight Congress turncoats who had quit the Congress to embrace the BJP on September 14, 2022, Sequeira had defended his decision to join the ruling dispensation to fulfil the promises in his election manifesto.
“I had made a host of promises to the Nuvem electorate in the 2022 Assembly election. I will work to fulfil the promises,” he said. He added, “I will work to ensure that the promises are fulfilled. Whatever development that needs to be done in Nuvem will be achieved through the government.”
Known as one who will not give up easily, Sequeira seemed to be working to a plan after his Cabinet exit, sources informed.
“Sequeira is one politician who had bounced back into electoral politics after a decade, after the Congress had denied him the ticket in the 2017 Assembly election. He had then virtually announced his retirement from politics before he bounced back in 2022 as he won the seat back on the Congress ticket. Let us wait and see how the five-time MLA goes about his job,” remarked a political observer.
Flashback: CM’s promise to Nuvemkars
Soon after Aleixo Sequeira, along with seven other Congress MLAs, defected to join the BJP on September 14, 2022, the Chief Minister had on October 2 assured the people of Nuvem that “neither Cong-turned-BJP MLA Aleixo Sequeira nor the people” would regret the decision of the political heavyweight to embrace the BJP.
On November 15, 2023, the Chief Minister returned to the constituency to launch underground cabling works in Majorda and Betalbatim villages at an estimated cost of Rs 67 crore.
At that time, Sequeira was still not included in the Cabinet, but the Chief Minister promised all-round development of Nuvem constituency in the next three years. The Chief Minister was candid in admitting that Sequeira had supported him and his government, and it was his duty to ensure that his government took care of Nuvem’s development.
