VASCO
Hitting back at the Congress for accusing him of being unstable in politics, former Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco on Tuesday said he had joined the TMC as his voice was not heard in the grand old party despite standing rock solid with it for all these years.
Speaking to reporters at Goa Airport following his arrival from Kolkata, Reginaldo said he had refused to join the BJP despite a development package of Rs 50 crore being offered to him by then CM late Manohar Parrikar.
“With no political background, I went from a ZP member to an MLA and stood by Congress. Those making allegations against me of having taken money must remember that I have never made money in politics.”
“After being elected as MLA, I merged Save Goa Party in the Congress and saved the Digambar Kamat-led Congress from being toppled in 2007.”
“In 2012, I stood in the opposition against late CM Manohar Parrikar. He had then told me that there are many Congress leaders who would meet him backdoor and he even offered me a package to take up development works of Rs 50 crore in my constituency to silence me, but I did not compromise," said Reginaldo.
Reginaldo claimed he had joined the TMC because his voice was not being heard.
“I had never asked Congress to make me the working president and I never asked the Congress for anything. I asked Congress for their strategy, propaganda and survey and even told the party to have an alliance with MGP and even Goa Forward Party because we need a united opposition.”
“Congress would never take me into confidence and even had several meetings with the MGP. I even told them to get Rohan Khaunte and Michael Lobo on board. The Congress had no fire in its belly," said Reginaldo.
“On the other hand, TMC has risen from zero to a substantial level in Goa today and they have a solid structure and system. They even have their analysts and a social media team.”
Reginaldo said he has been in social service for 32 years and would never compromise on the interest of Goa.
“I have joined TMC because they have a good ideology and there is hope that something good will happen to Goa. I have not joined the party for power and money. I want to thank my supporters, friends and family for being with me through thick and thin and I want to apologise to those who may have been hurt by my decision,” he added.
