Residents want Dr Sequeira's statue in Assembly complex

The demand was made as Konkani Kala Kendra, Merces celebrated the 56th Opinion Poll day at a low key function held near Dr Sequeira’s square, Merces on Sunday.

Speaking at the function, president of the Kendra Sebastiao Fernandes informed that Dr Jack Sequeira was responsible for preserving Goa’s identity and keeping it as a separate State.

“During Opinion Poll day, we always remember Dr Jack Sequeira as it was because of him that Goa not only got the opinion poll but also won it, which ensured that Goa remained a separate entity and did not get merged with Maharashtra,” Fernandes informed.

However, Fernandes expressed disappointment that the government has still not given due recognition to the great personality by installing his statute in the Assembly complex.

“Always we are demanding that Dr Sequeira’s statue be installed at the Assembly complex but our demand has not been met,” he decried and demanded that the new government that will come to power after the elections should ensure that the statue is installed in the Assembly.

To a question by The Goan on whether honest politicians like Dr Sequeira exist in Goa today, Fernandes said that the current 40 MLAs are a dishonest lot.

“They never fulfill the assurance that they give,” he stated.

Another speaker Socorro Fernandes said that they have got together to honour a great man of Goa.

“But, it is sad that his statue is not installed in the Assembly. Now, the question arises whether we should come on the streets to get our demand met,” Fernandes posed and urged Goans to be ready for an agitation if Dr Sequeira’s statue in the Assembly does not become a reality.

Earlier, Socorro Fernandes garlanded the bust of Dr Jack Sequeira. Also present for the function were members of Konkani Kala Kendra namely vice president Samy Braganza, secretary Paul Fernandes and members Robert Rodrigues, Evaristo Fernandes, Alex Fernandes, Francis Fernandes, and locals