MARGAO
The Congress camp has been hit by rebellion in Velim after the Congress nominated Velim Sarpanch Savio D’Silva for the Velim seat, ignoring the strong bid by former MLA Benjamin D’Silva and South Goa district president Joe Dias and former Sarzora sarpanch Sabita Mascarenhas for the ticket.
While the ticket announcement late Tuesday night ushered joy
After a second round of meeting with his supporters, Benjamin quit the Congress party, with his supporters giving him the go ahead signal to join the Trinamool Congress.
Supporters of South Goa district President Joe Dias called on him at his residence, to find out how the party has ignored his claim when he has remained loyal to the party over the years. Some of his supporters are believed to have later headed to the residence of next door neighbour, Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues.
Joe later told the media that he failed to understand why his claim for the ticket did not find favour with the party leadership when he has been loyal to the party for the last three decades. “I have no idea why my claim was not considered by the party. I have been loyal to the party for the last 30 years. I have handled the district office in my capacity as district party president and have worked tirelessly for the success of the party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls,” he said.
His supporters at the district committee also questioned the party decision, saying that Joe had put in his time and energy to run the office and the party.
On the other hand, Benjamin D’Silva’s supporters landed at his Assolna office early Wednesday to express their resentment and displeasure over the party’s decision. One of his supporters Savio Ferreira told the media that people of Velim were looking forward to the Congress party to nominate a clean candidate Benjamin D’Silva on the party banner. Since the Congress leadership has decided otherwise, Savio said the supporters have told Benjamin to take whatever decision he deems fit, promising to back the former MLA to the hilt.
Benjamin was categorical in saying the Congress has nominated a candidate with a host of criminal cases on him, reminding the speeches made by P Chidambaram and Dinesh Gundu Rao promising to give clean candidates. “This only goes to show the Congress is not serious,” he said.
He added: “From day one, other parties have been approaching me to contest on their banner. My supporters will take a call on my future.”
When the supporters assembled again in the evening, they told Benjamin to quit the Congress and join the TMC. “I have quit the Congress party. They have told me to join the TMC. I will take a decision,” he added.
Velim candidate thanks party for reposing faith in him, promises to remain loyal
MARGAO: Congress Velim candidate Savio D’Silva has thanked the Congress leadership for reposing their faith and trust in him, promising that he would remain loyal to the party and would never betray the trust reposed in him.
Saying that people of Velim know what work he has done for them in the last five years as Sarpanch of the village, Savio said he would continue similar work across the constituency, if elected by the people in the ensuing polls.
“If elected, I will honour the people’s mandate. I will never defect from the Congress party. We have to end the defections. I want to assure the Congress party that I will remain loyal to the party and not betray their trust,” he said.
