Captured by : Luizinho
Photo caption.
GPCC chief Luizinho Faleiro seen taking questions on the formation of the new regional party by former Congress general secretary MLA Vijai Sardesai. Santosh Mirajkar
2017 ASSEMBLY POLL
MARGAO
With the group of Independents led by Fatorda MLA and former Congress general secretary Vijai Sardesai setting in motion the process to form a new regional party, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Luizinho Faleiro was categorical in saying that the birth of the new political party will definitely not affect the Congress prospects in the 2017 Assembly election.
He, however, said if the objective of the new party is to divide the secular vote, it may divide the secular vote to some extent, apparently trying to paint a picture that the new party may end up in splitting the secular vote.
Answering a host of questions from the media on the sidelines of launch of the ETV Goa unit at Housing Board, Rumdamol on Thursday, Faleiro said he or his Congress party is not at all worried about the new political party. “There are many political parties in the State. We have the UGDP, the Goa Vikas Party and then there was the Save Goa Front. If two more are coming, how will it affect the Congress. Forming a political party as per the Constitution is the birthright of the people," he said, when asked whether the new party would affect the Congress prospects.
When the media kept harping on the same question, Faleiro shot back saying, “I feel there will be absolutely no problem for the Congress. Our party is a national party. We have a symbol of our own. The so-called new party will be like any other Independents in the fray. It is like you are asking me a question whether the Independents will affect the Congress, the BJP or the NCP," he said, while saying 'let the new party come and then I will comment'.
Faleiro further said, “Why should the Congress be bothered about the new party. It is like asking a question whether the Congress will be affected if the MGP and the BJP does not join hands. It is like putting the cart before the horse."
Meanwhile, Faleiro said that he is against the cutting of a coconut tree, saying that a coconut tree symbolises the identify of Goa. He also urged the government to come out with an effective solution in dealing with animals such as monkeys, saying that killing of the animals is certainly not the best option.
He reminded that monkeys and other animals have strayed into towns and villages as humans have encroached on their natural habitat and the forests. “The best way to protect the animals is to protect and preserve the forest resources," Faleiro added.
