THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO: A day after his presence at the inauguration of the third Mandovi bridge raised many an eyebrow in political circles, three-time Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco on Monday asserted that neither the Congress Legislature party (CLP) nor the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) had instructed party MLAs not to attend the bridge inauguration on Sunday.
On the contrary, Reginaldo said that when he had called up former CM Digambar Kamat on Sunday, the Margao MLA informed him that they have taken a decision not to attend the inauguration.
“I demanded to know from Kamat who are the people who have decided that the MLAs should not attend the inauguration. It appears that the party leadership does not want to take me into confidence on vital issues,” Reginaldo told The Goan.
He said the issue figured at the CLP meeting on Monday, wherein members questioned him on his presence at the inauguration.
“I made it clear that I was not told beforehand that Congress MLAs would not attend the inauguration function. But, I would like to question CLP leadership why they are keen to discuss issues pertaining only to me. They had no time when MLAs cross-voted in the Presidential elections or when MLAs quit the party,” he complained.
Justifying his presence at the bridge inauguration, Reginaldo hastened to add that he has been opposing the government on issues and not the people, including the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar personally.
“By going for the inauguration, I wanted to convey a message that we are not haters, and we take up only issues and are not interested in attacking someone personally,” he asserted.
Reacting to the strong reaction on the social media over his presence at the bridge inauguration, Reginaldo said he has been a loyal Congressman and will not change his ideology nor join any other party just because he was present at the inaugural function.
“Unlike many others who have got many works done in their constituencies by being in good books with the ruling people, I have not benefitted in any way. I will continue my work for the people of my constituency in particular and the people of Goa in general,” he added.
