MARGAO
The Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) heralded its entry into the Lok Sabha electoral fray for the South Goa seat on Thursday with an impressive turn out of party workers at the office of the Returning Officer on Thursday noon to show solidarity with party candidate Rupert Pereira.
Unlike the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress-led INDIA bloc, which had in its ranks political heavyweights, Ministers and MLAs, the RGP candidate was accompanied by enthusiastic party rank and file, including party leaders, workers and supporters.
Armed with the party flags displaying the party symbol “Football” and marching to the beats of the Goan dol and tash, slogan shouting party workers rallied behind candidate Rupert, RGP chief Manoj Parab and party lone MLA Viresh Borkar.
The RGP leaders and workers took everyone by surprise, including the police as they descended into the South Goa Collectorate complex on Thursday noon, only to be requested to stay out of the complex, while Rupert and party leaders headed into the office of the Returning Officer to file his nomination papers.
The mood amongst the RGP workers inside the Collectorate complex and outside was simple that only the nascent Goan political party has entered the electoral fray to protect the cause and interest of Goa and Goans.
In fact, the RGP workers sent a message loud and clear to the key political players that the regional party has come to stay, blaming the two national parties for ignoring to protect the interests of the State.
RGP chief Manoj Parab, who accompanied the South Goa candidate to the Returning Officer, after filing his nomination for the North Goa LS seat, said the RGP agenda is simple and clear that the voice of the people of Goa should echo in Parliament.
In his inimitably fashion, Parab demanded to know why the national parties have failed to address the burning issue of Mhadei, coal transportation, political reservations for the STs et al when they have been ruling the State over the years. “These issues ought to have been raised in Parliament over the year. Both the ‘Lotus’ and ‘Hand’ have failed the people of Goa. Only RGP can save Goa,” he thundered.
RGP MLA Viresh Borkar said there’s public anger against the BJP for its failure to resolve the burning issues plaguing Goa, be it Mhadei, coal, migration, etc. “The people of Goa are deeply hurt that the burning issues have not been resolved by the BJP. They feel only the RGP can protect the identity of Goa since migration has increased manifold threatening the identity of the State and its people,” he asserted.
Rs 43.14 lakh: Rupert’s total assets
MARGAO: The consolidated assets disclosed by Revolutionary Goans Party South Goa Lok Sabha candidate, 39-year-old Rupert Pereira is pegged around Rs 43.14 lakh.
In his affidavit filed before the Returning Officer, Pereira’s total moveable assets are pegged around Rs 27.63 lakh, while the assets owned by his spouse is Rs 15.51 lakh.
IMMOVEABLE PROPERTY: Pereira and his spouse have marked as not applicable in respect of the market value of immovable property.
PROFESSION OR OCCUPATION: Unemployed.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION: SSC, Our Lady of Snows, Raia in 2000. HSSC in 2002 and ITI in electricals in 2005.
PENDING CRIMINAL CASE: A case registered by the Maina-Curtorim police for the alleged offence of criminal trespass, unlawful assembly is pending before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao.
JEWELLERY: Two gold chains valued Rs 80,000 owned by Rupert and gold ornaments worth Rs 15.51 lakh owned by his spouse.
GOVERNMENT DUES: Nil
VEHICLES: A second hand OMNI van worth Rs 45,000 owned by Rupert and an Activa scooter and a Maruti Delta registered in the name of his spouse, valued Rs 75,000 and Rs 11,50,000 respectively.
