MARGAO
After finding itself in a dilemma over the selection of candidate after the seat was reserved for OBC, the Congress has finally settled for ex-Curtorim Sarpanch Alexinho D’Silva for the Curtorim Zilla Panchayat.
Congress leader Moreno Rebello said the party finally zeroed in on Alexinho as the party candidate for Curtorim after the ex-sarpanch expressed his willingness to contest the upcoming polls on the party banner.
When asked to react to reports that Alexinho had presided over the affairs of Curtorim panchayat, widely perceived as being controlled by the Independent Curtorim MLA and BJP alliance partner, Reginaldo Lourenco, Moreno shot back saying, “Alexinho approached the party with the intention to contest the ZP polls. At least 2-3 other prospective candidates had also approached the party, but they wanted the Congress to back them as Independents,” he said.
Moreno admitted that the Congress had a difficult time to shortlist prospective candidates after the Curtorim ZP seat was reserved for OBC. In fact, Moreno had challenged the decision in the High Court and has now moved the Supreme Court on the issue. “Party leaders had discussed Alexinho’s candidature before taking a final call,” he added.
The Curtorim ZP seat is presently represented by Congress’ Michelle Rebello, wife of Moreno. Sources said the Rebellos were not only geared up for the upcoming polls, but had shortlisted prospective ST candidates in the event the seat is declared for the ST community, before the government finally notified the Curtorim ZP seat as reserved for OBCs.
