MARGAO
Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias has welcomed Yuri Alemao’s decision to contest the next assembly election from Cuncolim, but has exuded confidence that the people of Cuncolim will not support a candidate from outside the constituency to represent them in the legislative assembly.
“Anyone is free to join any party or contest an election in a democracy. However, I am confident that the people of Cuncolim will not support a candidate who hails from outside the constituency. People of Cuncolim have already proven this on two occasions when they stopped Joaquim Alemao from making a comeback in the constituency,” Clafacio told the media on Wednesday, a day after Yuri announced plans to embrace the Goa Forward Party with an eye on Cuncolim constituency.
The Cuncolim MLA, however, accused Joaquim Alemao and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai for playing a political game to block development in Cuncolim and to paint him in bad light in the eyes of the people.
Referring to the TCP Minister’s assurance given to ex-MLA Joaquim Alemao and son Yuri to resolve the SH8 row plaguing Chandor villagers, the Cuncolim MLA pointed out that people of Chandor had been knocking the doors of the TCP Minister for the last one year and half, but he had failed to resolve the issue. “One way I am happy that Sardesai has assured to resolve the issue, but I am equally said that the TCP Minister has agreed to resolve the row only after Joaquim Alemao and son Yuri led some villagers to him, the TCP Minister has promised to immediately resolve the highway issue,” he said, suspecting political game by Sardesai-Joaquim.
He also took potshots at the Alemaos for accusing him of doing self development, saying it was the Alemaos who had worked for their self development by shifting government jobs to Sanguem to prepare ground for Yuri’s election in that constituency. He also accused Joaquim Alemao for holding a meeting with NH engineers to announce that the Cuncolim bypass alignment has been finalized when the ground work is still underway in the town. “I will take up development work in Cuncolim as per my capacity.”
