MARGAO
South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha on Wednesday exuded confidence that Fatordekars will give him the majority of votes in the coming Lok Sabha election if he is nominated again by the Congress party.
Sardinha’s comments come a day after Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai, the Fatorda MLA, openly declared that he would not support the sitting South Goa MP in the coming election.
When questioned about Sardesai's statement that he would not back him in the upcoming LS polls, the MP retorted, "Last time, the people of Fatorda gave me a lead in the segment for the first time. This time too, I have no doubt that the people of the constituency will give me a majority if the party awards me the ticket."
Asserting that his door has always remained open for people, the MP said he has exhausted the fund under the MPLAD scheme in his constituency, besides utilizing Rs 2.60 crore left behind by his predecessor Narendra Sawaikar. “Besides utilizing the funds for the development of South Goa constituency, I have raised all issues dear to the hearts of Goans in Parliament or taken up the issues with the concerned Union Ministers,” he said.
Responding to ex-GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar's statement that he would have no objection if the Congress gave the South Goa ticket to a minority candidate, Sardinha said, "Only one person can contest on the party ticket. Girish is a Congressman. If we all work unitedly, I will receive more votes if the party nominates me."
Regarding claims made by BJP leadership about the party being fully prepared for the Lok Sabha polls, Sardinha remarked, "The Congress is functioning as usual in the constituency. I have been working hard. My work is evident to the people. Perhaps the BJP is making claims because they are uncertain about their victory."
While acknowledging that several Congress leaders who had supported him in the 2019 polls are now part of the BJP, Sardinha stated that party workers, as well as the people and his well-wishers, would support his candidacy if nominated by the party high command.
