PANAJI
Referring to political defections in Goa as a curse that must be ended forthwith and forever, Goa Forward Party president and sitting MLA of Fatorda Vijai Sardesai said that a majority in the Assembly for the Congress-Goa Forward alliance is the sure-fire way of ending defections, stated a press release.
“It’s startling that if you look closely at the BJP panel, 15 of their candidates are known defectors, and two belong to the family of defectors! That’s close to 50%, unheard of perhaps for any political party in India,” he said.
Vijai also added: “While the party with a ‘difference’ have given tickets to almost 65% of old faces, 75% of the alliance candidates are fresh faces, remarkable perhaps for any party in the history of elections, and when elected, would be first time MLAs”.
Vijai, an alliance candidate in Fatorda, was addressing a corner meeting in Ward 9, along with Margao Municipal Chairperson Lyndon Pereira, councillor Raju Naik and GFP Vice President Ashma Sayed, the release adds.
“BJP has always been excellent at engineering defections after the polls but they have gained much expertise in managing defections before the polls also,” Vijai said accusing the BJP of creating this toxic situation with their underhand activities.
“A full majority for the alliance will mean an end to all chances of party hopping done for personal development at the cost of people’s development, and offer a stable government,” Vijai asserted.
“Congress is cleansed in a way by the BJP and we’re determined as a party and as an alliance partner to make sure that we rid our state of the menace of defection.”
Vijai stressed the need for Goans to reject the party of habitual defectors and old wines in old bottles who have fooled the people with the excuse of development as the reason for their betrayals.
Vijai pointed to Mandrem as an example where the sitting MLA had defected from the Congress promising development as others, the release adds.
“Not only has no development happened there, but mafia-like activities including land grabbing and corruption has also put the people in distress and fear."
“A fractured mandate will not only make the BJP happy so they can put their traditional skills to use but also give an opportunity to the selfish, certified defectors to raise their head and hold Goa to ransom,” he added.
