MARGAO
The INDIA Alliance made a big presence in Margao, the fiefdom of Cong-turned-BJP MLA Digambar Kamat by taking out a 'padayatra' in support of Congress candidate Captain Viriato Fernandes.
As promised at the Fatorda meeting on Sunday, Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai and party Councilors and workers joined GPCC Chief Amit Patkar, Opposition leader Yuri Alemao and other Alliance leaders including NCP Chief Jose Philip D’Souza, AAP MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva as they walked down the road from the Margao Municipal Council building before the padyatra culminated at Aquem near the St Sebastian Chapel.
Ex-GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar and other senior congress leaders, including Congress MLA Alton D’Costa, former MMC Chief Savio Coutinho joined the padyatra to express their solidarity with the party South Goa candidate.
Addressing the workers, the Goa Forward Chief said the time has come to save Margao from further crumbling. Calling for unity amongst the people of Margao, Sardesai said the people have to remain untied to bring about a change.
Ex-GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar said Margao does not only belong to Madgavkars, but also people from entire South Goa, right from Canacona to Borim and Shiroda, who have made the city their home. “There’s a need to send a message to the people that remain united and vote in the May 7 election. We have to all save Margao”, he said.
Tension rent the air at Malbhat during the Padayatra when the road leading to the residence of MLA Digambar Kamat was barricaded by the police as a precautionary measure. However, leaders of the Alliance questioned the police move and made their way on the road, before retreating to continue with padayatra towards Aquem.
