Sardinha figures in
Cong plans against Vijai
MARGAO
Former chief minister Francisco Sardinha figures in the list of probable five candidates shortlisted by the Fatorda Block Congress to take on Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai, even as the Block on Sunday again opposed any gathbandhan or mahagathbandhan with any political party or Independents.
Though the Block has kept the names of probable candidates under wraps on grounds that the exercise of recommending names to the District Pradesh Congress Committee will end only next week, it is learnt that besides Francisco Sardinha, the names of block President Joseph Silva, Ethel Lobo, Piedade Norohna and Camilo Barretto figure in the list.
Sunday's meeting called by the Block president Joseph Silva was attended amongst others by Congress spokesman Avinash Tavares, Piedade Norohna, Ethel Lobo, Camilo Barretto, besides Block in-charge Pratima Coutinho and members.
Sources in the know said that Silva and others are strongly rooting for the candidature of Francisco Sardinha. The Block leaders are expected to call on the former MP, who has been coordinating with the Block since the last few months, before the names are recommended to the district committee.
Addressing the Block members, Silva said the Congress can regain the Fatorda seat with hard work and reaching out to the people of the constituency. Saying that time is running out with the Assembly election fast approaching, Silva called upon members to strengthen booth-level committees and hit the ground from August.
He later told media that the Block has shortlisted five candidates, adding that the names will be announced only after the Block recommends all names to the District Congress Committee for an appropriate decision.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesman Avinash Tavares said a delegation of Fatorda Block Congress called on the AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh on Saturday and impressed upon him to request former Congress chief mnister, Digambar Kamat to emphasize that most of the projects in Fatorda were initiated during the Congress regime. “The right message should go the people that these projects were initiated during the Congress regime to ensure that the credit for these works do not go to the BJP or the Independent MLA”, Tavares said.
