VASCO
NCP State President and former minister Jose Philip D'Souza on Thursday ruled out any action against party MLA Churchill Alemao but admitted he was hurt by Alemao’s statement indicating that he was a coward.
D’Souza said while he had carried out his duty as party president, Alemao had failed in his duty to inform the party president about his visit to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
The NCP state president was speaking to reporters at Vasco when asked to react on photos of Alemao meeting Sawant along with the NCP ZP member which went viral on social media.
"There is no question of action against Alemao because after his photos went viral and I started getting calls, I immediately called him and he said it was only a courtesy visit to the CM, which is fine.”
“As state party president, it is my duty to inform about events in the State to my higher-ups and I informed them about the incident and explained to them as well.”
“Any action, if required, will be taken by higher-ups but as of now since it was a courtesy visit there is no question of any action. Alemao has failed in his responsibility to inform me as state party president before he met the CM and had he done that, this issue would have never happened," said D’Souza.
D’Souza, however, said he was hurt by irresponsible statements by Alemao indicating that he was a coward.
"He is our MLA and besides, he is a senior leader, a colleague and my very good personal friend, but I am hurt with his statement where he called me a coward.’
“Though I have huge respect for him as a senior colleague and former chief minister, such statements from him are unacceptable and not in good taste for the future of our party.”
“He must also remember that I am the state party president and a two-time minister and we have to work together for the betterment of the party,” said D’Souza.
