the goan I network
MAPUSA
While two senior councillors condemned Calangute MLA Michael Lobo for making unfounded statements against their leader, senior councilor Sudhir Kandolkar refused to categorically censure Lobo.
Former chairperson, Sudhir Kandolkar, who is perceived to be close to the Calangute MLA, refused to disapprove the charges made by Lobo against the Mapusa MLA.
“What he said are his statements. Since both are from the same party what can I say,” said Kandolkar, while fending questions from the probing media. When pointed out that he was known to be close to Lobo, Kandolkar said that he maintained good relations with everyone.
“I remain close to everyone to get the work done of the constituency,” said Kandolkar, who was once known to be very close to the Mapusa MLA.
Hitting out at the Calangute MLA, former chairperson and GSUDA vice chairperson, Sandip Falari said Michael Lobo had unnecessarily created an issue. “Just like Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Mapusa MLA Francisco D’Souza is also looked upon as a leader not only of Mapusa, but entire Goa,” Falari said.
He said often during elections, the Mapusa MLA had to leave his own constituency in the hands of the councilors to boost the campaign of other BJP candidates.
Rubbishing Lobo’s claims that Mapusa has seen no development, he said a lot of progress has been done in Mapusa in the last 20 years.
“Babush (Francisco D’Souza) has carried out development by following all democratic norms without hurting anyone. He has not bulldozed his way by pushing projects down people’s throats,” Falari said, clearly hinting at Lobo’s pushy ways in his constituency. He said Lobo was also talented and expected him to use his talents to contribute positively to the party.
“He can use his talents to increase the tally of BJP during the elections. There are talks that in the last election he has worked against three MLAs. As PDA chairman, he can contribute a lot for the development of Mapusa,” Falari said. Senior councilor Ryan Braganza said that Lobo’s charge that nothing has been done in Mapusa was completely wrong.
“A lot of projects have come up under the tutelage of the Mapusa MLA. We may have to develop new infrastructure which we will be put in
place in days to come,” Braganza said.
He said faces may change in the council but the ideas will continue and new projects will come up in the city.
