MARGAO
Three prominent faces who have been opposing the track doubling works and other projects in the State, on Wednesday embraced the Congress party, vowing to fight for women’s empowerment and to save and protect Goa from destructions, even as Congress leaders reassured that the Congress would scrap the three linear projects as well as the 16-B of the TCP Act when it comes to power in 2022.
Activists Maria do Carmo Fernandes, Gina Pereria and Sabita Mascarenhas joined the Congress in the presence of GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar, working president Alexio Sequeira, South district president Joe Dias, party leaders MK Sheikh, Elvis Gomes and their well wishers.
The three activists, who have been fighting on the ground to save Mollem and to oppose the double tracking project, said they thought of having a party platform so that they can take their voice forward for the benefit of the people.
“After having fought on the ground in the agitation, we thought of joining the Congress so that we have a platform to get our voices heard. Since I have worked for women, I will take this platform to fight for women empowerment and demand 33 per cent reservation for women”, Sabita said.
Gina Pereira said their only aim is to fight the BJP and change the system. “Our vision is to defeat the BJP and to save our Goa. This is our main motive. We need new faces. People need to come out and bring about a change in the system,. The BJP has no vision for Goa, but for outsiders”, she added.
Maria said they want to send a message clear to the Chief Minister and the bureaucrats that those who are fighting for Goa are not giving up. “They were not listening to the people fighting for their rights. We are fighters and we will not give up. We will give our best. Hope they listen to us now when we are in the opposition”, she added.
Welcoming the trio in the party, working president Alexio Sequeira said they are thrilled that the three women have joined the Congress party without any commitment vis-Ã -vis tickets or positions. He reassured the Congress party’s commitment to undo the three linear projects if the party returns to power.
District president Joe Dias said the party tickets will be given to the deserving candidates and the names will be decided by the workers right from the grassroots.
Bureaucrat-turned-politician Elvis Gomes said Goa is passing through its worst phase, saying the time has now come for the people to unitedly bring about a change.
Welcoming the trio in the party, GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar called upon the people to join the Congress to bring changes and form a people’s government. He said the three women will be given responsibilities wherein they will take their mission forward and attract new people in the party.
Party vice-president M K Sheikh, activist Zarinha Da Cunha, Tribolo D’Souza and others also spoke.
Stop misguiding people
on POGO Bill: Aleixo
MARGAO: Newly-appointed Congress working president Aleixo Sequeira on Wednesday said the Persons of Goan Origin (POGO) Bill mooted by the Revolutionary Goans cannot be passed in the Assembly for the simple reason that it goes against the Constitution of India.
He urged the Revolutionary Goans to stop misguiding the people of Goa on the promise of passing the POGO Bill in the Assembly. “We have to accept the fact that we are all guided by the Constitution of India. The very nature of the Bill goes against the Constitution. Hence, it cannot be passed”, he said,
