MAPUSA
Porvorim Congress Block President Shankar Phadte on Tuesday claimed that late Manohar Parrikar would have lost the floor test and BJP would have never gone to form the government in 2017 had the Valpoi MLA and Rohan Khaunte not betrayed the Congress.
He also said that at the behest of the Porvorim MLA rumours were being spread that Khaunte along with his supporters were joining Congress and would be the Porvorim candidate for 2022 assembly polls.
“Anatasio (Babush) Monseratte who then was not even an MLA had taken the initiative to defeat late Manohar Parrikar in the floor test but failed as the Valpoi MLA betrayed the Congress. Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte who was elected on the backing of Congress also stabbed the party in the back,” Phadte revealed while addressing the media in Mapusa.
It may be recalled, Valpoi MLA had abstained from attending the Goa Legislative Assembly during the crucial motion of vote of confidence tabled by the Parrikar government on March 16, 2017. He later won the by-election in Valpoi on the BJP ticket.
Phadte claimed that he was aware of the tactical moves made by Congress then, as he was in the thick of things during the government formation in 2017.
He said Rohan Khaunte was the first traitor of Congress and not the 10 MLAs.
“If Congress has made it clear that the 10 MLAs will not be taken back then why would Khaunte and Valpoi MLA be taken in the party,” he countered and added that Congress has made it clear that no alliance talks have been held yet.
“Khaunte is the first traitor and defector in the 2017 election. Because of him Congress could not form the government then,” he said.
He said Rohan Khaunte and Goa Forward Party leader Vijai Sardesai had the opportunity to be with Congress after the passing away of late Parrikar but the duo refused to do so and stuck to their chair until they were booted out by the present dispensation.
He said the Congress has decided that this time the candidates will not be selected by the leaders but by the cadre on the ground.
The Porvorim Congress Block President also condemned the performance of MLA Rohan Khaunte in the recently concluded assembly.
He said when the Bhumiputra bill was tabled the opposition should have moved an amendment or asked for division instead of making a ruckus in the House.
He further said that the Porvorim MLA has not said a single word against the Bhumiputra bill.
North Goa District Congress Committee General Secretary, Shripad Dhond and Vice President, Chandan Mandrekar were also present.
