MARGAO
It was 4.30 pm on September 5: Congress’ top leaders, Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat with GPCC chief Girish Chodankar in tow had descended at Batora-Curtorim. Reason: The duo was scheduled to address the media with birthday boy MLA Reginaldo Lourenco to tell the whole world that the three-time MLA isn’t quitting the Congress and not going anywhere else.
By late evening, Reginaldo was huddled with his close aides, workers and people from all walks of life as they not just celebrated the birthday, but the MLA’s decision to stay put with the Congress.
December 22: Reginaldo had just landed at the Dabolim airport the previous evening after his return from Kolkata, where he embraced the Trinamool Congress in the presence of TMC supremo Mamata Didi and nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Having switched sides, the changing political equations and alignment of political forces saw Trinamool Congress and the Mamata Didi poll strategists and managers swarming around Reginaldo’s residence.
Reason: The TMC managers led by poll strategist Prashant Kishore all descended at Reginaldo’s residence as they went into a huddle with the former MLA’s close aides and supporters. The agenda was clear and simple “ to explain to Reginaldo’s die-hard supporters the reasons over his sudden exit from the Congress and his entry into the Trinamool Congress.
Sources said Prashant Kishore led from the front to explain Reginaldo’s supporters and allay their fears and apprehensions over the three-time MLA’s decision to embrace the TMC, saying the three-time MLA has taken the right decision at the right time.
In fact, sources said the TMC poll managers reassured Reginaldo’s supporters that their leader has a bright future and will occupy top position when the party comes to power in the State in 2022.
Reginaldo told The Goan that the initiative at his residence was part of an attempt by the party leadership to convince his close supporters and aides and remove their misconceptions that it was a conscious decision to join the TMC to keep the BJP out of power in 2022.
“I can understand the sentiments of my supporters and workers about my decision. But, I am sure they will get convinced of my decision that it has been taken in the interest of the people and of my constituency,” he said.
He added: “We have to stop the BJP from returning back to power. The Congress wasn’t battle ready yet and the TMC has emerged as a force which can keep the BJP at bay in Goa in the ensuing polls. I am sure my supporters and workers will soon realise that my decision was in the interest of the people and of my constituency.”
