Panaji
Singh condemned the Goa Forward Party and independent MLA Rohan Khaunte for fighting the polls on secular credentials and eventually joining hands with ‘communal’ forces.
Speaking at Panaji at the end of a day filled with marathon discussions with newly elected Congress MLAs and several others , Singh stated, “Those who had been voted to fight communal forces have compromised for crumbs of power. Vijai Sardessai and Rohan Khaunte have betrayed us as well as their own voters. Vijai was accusing us of helping BJP and has now openly supported BJP for personal gains totally ditching mandate of Goa’s people.” He further accused Manohar Parrikar and Nitin Gadkari of resorting to dirty tricks and horse trading. “They have used central government money to negotiate and buy off MLAs,” Singh alleged.
Navelim MLA and Goa Pradesh Congress Party president Luizinho Faleiro declared that it is a ‘matter of shame’ that BJP, despite electoral defeat of CM and six ministers, has clung on to power. While stating that the Congress is ready to fight from the Opposition benches yet again for the interest of the people, Faleiro, however, hinted that this may not be ‘the end’ of the chapter for the Congress. “Doors are still open to those who think that their party or the alliance government has let them down. There will be no compromise on core values. But as before, we are open to those who wish to join hands,” he said.
The unanimously elected Leader of Opposition and Quepem MLA Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavalekar expressed anguish at the manner in which events played out through the day. He warned Sardessai that his actions are being scrutinized by those who voted for the young party and to whom the party is accountable.
