OLD GOA
Former TMC convenor Samil Volvoikar rejoined the Congress party at a function held in Corlim on Wednesday, in the presence of Congress leaders Manikrao Thakre, Anjali Nimbalkar, MP Viriato Fernandes, Yuri Alemao, Altone D’Costa, Adv Carlos Ferreira, Amit Patkar, and others.
Along with Volvoikar, his supporters also joined the Congress, including Sao Mathias panchas Prasad Harmalkar, Swapnil Bhomkar, and Supriya Tari, Carambolim panch Rajesh Naik, and others.
Speaking after his induction, Volvoikar said he wanted to join a secular party, which is the reason why he chose to join the Congress.
“I had discussions with my supporters, and they advised that I should join the Congress to defeat the BJP,” he added.
“Today, the BJP is playing divisive politics by discriminating on the lines of caste and religion, but Congress is a party that embraces people without discrimination,” Volvoikar stated.
Volvoikar criticised Cumbarjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai, who defected to the BJP, and urged the people to teach him a lesson in 2027.
“Today, we see no development taking place in Cumbarjua, and the constituency needs someone who will work selflessly for the people,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, MP Viriato Fernandes also criticised MLA Rajesh Faldessai, alleging that he backstabbed the Congress party for personal gain.
“With the joining of Volvoikar, a new chapter begins in Cumbarjua, and in 2027, let us bring Congress back to power,” the MP urged.
Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa advised Volvoikar to understand the basic problems faced by Cumbarjua’s people and try to resolve them.
Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Ferreira stated that Cumbarjua is a Congress bastion, but the MLA backstabbed the party by joining the BJP.
Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao also criticised that Cumbarjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai was the first to jump into the BJP.
“But with Volvoikar joining Congress, the party will be strengthened,” Alemao added, hitting out at the TMC by stating that its divisive ploy is now exposed.
Thakre, Nimbalkar, and Patkar also welcomed Volvoikar into the Congress party fold but did not speak much, as they said the AICC had issued directives to stop all functions.
“We have to wind up the programme as we need to stand in solidarity with the army, which has given a befitting reply to Pakistan,” Nimbalkar stated.
Added Thakre: “Our jawans have done an excellent job in attacking the terror hideouts in Pakistan. It is a proud moment for Indians. So, as decided by AICC, we stand firmly with the armed forces, and due to this, it has been decided to call off all functions. Therefore, we are stopping the programme.”
