PANAJI
Concerned citizens of Goa gathered at the Gandhi Circle, Old Goa, on Sunday to protest against the moves by MLAs to defect from one party to another and issued a warning that if the defection does take place in future, they will be forced to protest at their residences.
They also warned that if the MLAs resign in case the defection attempt fails over lack of 2/3rd majority, then they will campaign against them and ensure that they are sent home at the by-elections.
The protest in the Cumbarjua constituency assumes significance as MLA Rajesh Faldessai was alleged to be one of the Congress MLAs who was on the verge of defecting from the Congress to the BJP.
Speaking on the occasion, former MMC chairperson Savio Coutinho informed that when the defection happened during the last term, the people kept quiet even though majority of them were sent home at this elections.
“But, now if any such thing happens we are not going to wait for elections. We will protest at their residences,” Coutinho said while adding that even though the political scenario is quiet at the moment, attempts are still being made to get the required numbers.
“They are only waiting for the number of MLAs to increase to eight. However, if they are saying that they are loyal to their party, let them give declaration that they will remain loyal to their party and will not defect till the end of the term. If they do so, then we will withdraw our protest,” Coutinho added.
TMC leader Samil Volvoikar lambasted the Congress MLAs for taking false oath in front of religious places like church, temple and mosque.
He also lambasted the ruling BJP for trying to finish the Opposition by buying MLAs, even though they enjoy a majority.
“We can understand defections taking place to form a government. But here, BJP already has backing of 25 MLAs. Then why are such moves being made?” he posed and added that a strong Opposition is needed to voice issues of the people.
Activist Shankar Polgi informed that people cast vote for the MLAs to raise their voices and solve their problems. “Now if the MLAs become part of the Opposition then is it the fault of the people?” he questioned.
“Today, Goa needs a strong Opposition to raise issues on corruption, spiralling crimes, inflation, etc,” he stated and urged Goans to rise against defections failing which Goa will be destroyed.
Another speaker Kiran Naik lambasted the MLAs for claiming that they are switching sides to bring in development of their constituencies. “Everybody knows that they want to make their own development and for the greed of money. Stop telling such blatant lies to the people,” Naik stated.
Activist Anthony D'Silva challenged the MLAs wanting to defect to resign and re-contest elections. “We will see to it that all these MLAs are sent packing home,” D'Silva said.
“But if these MLAs defect by getting the 2/3rd majority, then don't think that we will allow them to enjoy the rest of the term,” he warned.
Another activist Maria Lopes said that the people will not forgive such MLAs who jump from one party to the other. “These MLAs have made a mockery of the elections and set a bad example for the youth,” she informed.
An Old Goa local Glen Cabral called upon the people not to keep quiet on the defection attempts by their MLAs and target them. “Only the people can put pressure and keep a tab on defection attempts of these MLAs,” he opined.
Meanwhile, the Old Goa police advised the protestors not to hold protest inside the area where the statue of Mahatma Gandhi is located as they did not have permission from authorities concerned. The protestors were politely told that they can hold the protest anywhere outside the area after which the protest was held on the footpath.
