VASCO
Political leaders in the port town have reacted to former Vasco BJP MLA Carlos Almeida’s decision to quit the BJP and join the Congress, with some describing his move as hasty and others claiming that the port town had been liberated from an “inefficient MLA”.
Former Mormugao municipal council chairperson Nandadeep Raut said his position as a Congress candidate for Vasco had strengthened with Almeida joining Congress.
"Congress has already announced that they will go in for a fresh and young face this time and Almeida will only strengthen Congress and me in Vasco. I am confident that the party will decide the right candidate because I have taken works of over Rs 50 crore as MMC chairperson,” said Raut.
“I am receiving tremendous support from people ever since I got inducted into the party.”
Krishna (Daji) Salkar, who recently joined the BJP, said the port town had been liberated from the most inefficient legislator in the State who failed to take development works for 10 years, despite being in the ruling party.
“Regarding his allegations of BJP side-lining Vasco and Parrikar loyalists, I want to ask him why there was no development in Vasco when former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar was in power,” said Salkar.
"As far as some councillors joining Almeida, all of them have been elected on a BJP ticket and a loyalist would never leave the party.”
Vasco BJP Block President Deepak Naik said Almeida had taken a hasty decision as the party had not finalised the party ticket.
"The BJP gave Almeida everything, recognition, fame and position, but he left the party only because Salkar was inducted. We have seen so many leaders who continue to remain with the party despite being denied a ticket or other members being inducted.”
“Our BJP base in Vasco is so strong that even if all other parties ally, they will never be able to defeat us. We will get the BJP candidate elected a third consecutive time in Vasco," said Naik.
