THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA: Former deputy chief minister and Mapusa MLA late Francis D’Souza’s son, Joshua D’Souza, on Saturday dropped enough hints that he was ready to carry on the baton of his illustrious dad.
“Along with the blessings of my father, my family and the people of Mapusa, I shall continue to serve the people of Mapusa and fulfill his dreams for his hometown and his fellow Mapshekars,” Joshua D’Souza said, in his vote of thanks at the end of his dad’s funeral service.
Joshua D’Souza began by remembering the 40 jawans who were killed in the terrorist attack at Pulwama in J&K on the same day that his dad passed away.
“The 14th of February was a sad day, not only for my family but for the nation too, as we suffered the devastating loss of 40 brave jawans. We would like to remember and pray for their families too today,” he said reading a well-crafted speech.
He went on to pay gratitude to the Government of Goa, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, ministers and the MLAs.
He also thanked the people of Goa and all over the world who have been praying for his father and supported him throughout his life.
“My father was an inspiration. His imprint is on us and we will be his legacy and we will carry on with humility, pride and grace,” Joshua, who is a councilor in Mapusa Municipal Council said.
He further said that his dad was a man of the people and like most other people, his father’s passion was meeting and helping people.
“That’s all he lived for, a true Goan at heart and very proud gaunkar of Mapusa. All he wanted was to get better and be on his feet so that he could be there for his people,” he said.
On Friday, Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardessai had said he was ready to back Joshua in Mapusa much to the chagrin of BJP, the coalition government’s senior partner.
Sardessai’s statement and now Junior D’Souza’s indication to follow his father’s footsteps will definitely put the BJP in a very inconvenient position, as there are several senior councilors and others who are aspiring for the BJP ticket in Mapusa.
