MARGAO
Ending days of speculation, independent MLA from Curtorim Reginaldo Lourenco on Friday extended his support to BJP's South Goa candidate Pallavi Dempo in the May 7 Lok Sabha polls.
He, however, had advice or two for the BJP candidate “ to try and allay the fears and apprehensions of the minorities and to take all people along.
As the BJP juggernaut rolled into the Curtorim Assembly segment on Friday, Reginaldo accompanied Pallavi and other BJP leaders to the Our Lady of Snows Church to seek divine blessings. He made his presence felt at a meeting of the karyakartas at Curtorim before addressing the workers.
“Pallavi has won the election. When we went to the Raia Church to seek blessings, the Church bells rang, showering blessings on the candidate,” he said.
He repeatedly wished the very best to Pallavi, saying there was no doubt over her success in the ensuing battle. He, however, said that people expect good work from the elected representatives and solutions to their issues.
“As minorities, we have fears. Try and remove these fears from their minds. We are all here to support you as minorities. We expect you to help to take the work forward and take all people along on the path of development,” he said.
Saying that the BJP government has initiated a host of development projects in Curtorim constituency, Reginaldo said he has managed to usher in development in the constituency with the help of the government.
He added: “Pallavi is a good candidate. She is presentable before the people and that is a positive vibe. She might be talking less, but she means what she speaks.”
This is perhaps the first time the independent MLA and the BJP Mandal, which has been at loggerheads over local issues, have come together to support the BJP South Goa candidate.
