the goan I network
MARGAO
With his candidature getting the stamp of approval from the Congress District Committee and the Pradesh Election Committee, catapulting him as a front runner for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat, High Court lawyer, Adv Cleofato Almeida Coutinho has received backing from non-Congress, non-BJP groups and individuals if nominated for the South Goa seat.
Senior United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) leader Adv Radharao Gracias told The Goan on Sunday that regional parties such as the UGDP will not field any candidate and would prefer backing Adv Cleofato if nominated by the Congress party with the sole objective of defeating
the BJP.
“Adv Cleofato is one candidate, who will be supported by many, cutting across religious and political lines. In the present scenario, I feel he is the best bet for the Congress party to take on the BJP,” Radharao said.
Apart from other considerations, he pointed out that Adv Cleofato is a capable person who will do justice to his job in Parliament. “People like me have been historically opposed to the Congress party over the years. We are ready to back Adv Cleofato’s candidature on the Congress banner although we may have a different stand in the Assembly election. If the Congress can hope to defeat the BJP in the ensuing election, Adv Cleofato is the best bet for the party,” Radharao said, adding ‘Adv Cleofato is not only non-controversial, but is capable of doing justice to his job as a Parliamentarian’.
A student leader in his own right in the 70’s and 80’s, Adv Cleofato is also expected to garner the support of social groups and individuals. Goa Forward leader Mohandas Lolienkar, for example, has publicly endorsed Adv Cleofato’s candidature, though in his individual capacity. And, so has city-based cardiologist Dr Francisco Colaco.
In fact, Adv Cleofato’s candidature was suggested at a meeting of the Dakshinayan Abhiyan held at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao over a month ago which was called by social groups in a bid to zero in on a consensus candidate to take on the BJP in South Goa. After Adv Cleofato’s candidature was suggested by Dr Francisco Colaco and endorsed by Radharao Gracias and Mohandas Lolienkar, president of the Dakshinayan Abhiyan Datta Nayak had then decided that the group would recommend Adv Cleofato’s name
to the Congress party for
consideration.
