the goan I network
VASCO
Support of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by State President Jose Philip D’Souza to councillors backed by Vasco BJP MLA Carlos Almeida on Thursday fuelled speculations of a patch-up among the rival political leaders in the port town.
D’Souza ensured that the Almeida panel secured an extra vote when his brother and senior MMC Councillor Pascoal D’Souza switched sides at the last moment to vote for the Almeida-led panel during the special meeting to elect a new MMC chairperson and vice chairperson.
Sources said D’Souza personally dropped Pascoal to the MMC just before the election and waited till elections were over and later drove him back to his house in his own car, before anyone could seek comments from Pascoal about the last moment shift.
Rumours were rife that the two arch rivals, D’Souza and Almeida, who had contested against each other on two assembly elections, had patched up their differences, with some even suggesting that D’Souza could strengthen the BJP in future elections.
D’Souza refutes the charges and said the move was more of a personal one than political.
Speaking to reporters, Dsouza said he had supported the candidature of Raut and Sonurlekar only because the earlier panel led by Gaonkar had begun displaying arrogance and attitude and attempted to divide his family by taking undue advantage of his brother Pascoal D’Souza, who was part of the council. “This move is a personal move and not a political move. The previous panel had begun acting arrogantly and always
took undue advantage of my brother, who was a part of their panel. They attempted to divide my family and tried to create differences between me and my brothers. It would hurt me to see them using my brother and taking him for granted. I personally took him to the MMC elections and made him vote for Raut. Personally, I will always support Raut, Deepak Naik and Reema Sonurlekar, who are very nice people, efficient and very close to me. My
full support is with Raut and I am sure he will do a wonderful job as chairperson,” said D’Souza.
