MARGAO
With his decision giving a new dimension to the ongoing race for the Cuncolim Assembly seat, United Goans Democratic Party president Dr Jorson Fernandes has said that he has endorsed the candidature of Aam Aadmi Party Cuncolim nominee, Elvis Gomes because there’s no other better candidate in the fray for the seat in the 2017 Assembly election.
“Show me whether there’s any other better candidate than Elvis who are planning to contest the coming election. A host of candidates are ready to throw their hat in the ring, but is there a better candidate than the bureaucrat turned politician,” Dr Jorson demanded to know, while justifying his decision to rally behind Elvis in his home constituency Cuncolim.
The doctor-turned-politician, however, made it clear that he has lent his support to Elvis’ candidature not as the president of the UGDP, but in his individual capacity. But, when pointed out that it is a fact that he is heading the regional outfit and his decision to support the AAP candidate will be viewed in a different light politically, Dr Jorson further made it clear that he is supporting Elvis as a candidate and not the Aam Aadmi Party. “My support is for Elvis Gomes as the most suitable candidate amongst the lot and not as the AAP candidate,” Dr Jorson said.
When his attention was drawn to the fact that UGDP ideologue and senior vice-president Adv Radharao Gracias has been highly critical of the AAP, accusing the party for its close links to the RSS leaders, Dr Jorson said he is aware of Radharao’s stand vis-Ã -vis the Aam Aadmi Party. “I want to reiterate here that I am supporting Elvis as a candidate and not as an AAP nominee,” he asserted.
When further questioned how he would react if the UGDP leadership decides to field a candidate for the Cuncolim seat under the party banner, Dr Jorson said, “In the event the UGDP fields a candidate in Cuncolim, I will support my party candidate for Cuncolim. If that situation arises, I will stop sharing the dais of Elvis and canvass for my party candidate,” he asserted.
The UGDP president hit the campaign trail for Elvis Gomes when he made his appearance at his public meeting at Macazana village last week. Since then, the political development has been a talking point in the constituency with the Elvis camp in
an upbeat mood with Dr Jorson publicly endorsing his candidature.
