PANAJI
Rudolf Fernandes, the 58-year-old son of former minister late Victoria “Mummy” Fernandes, joined the Congress on Sunday at a ceremony held at Azad Maidan in Panaji in the presence of Congress Legislative Party leader Digambar Kamat, Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar, general secretary Amarnath Panjikar, Vijay Bhike, Varad Mardolkar and other Congressmen.
Following Rudolf’s induction, Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar tweeted, “Hundreds join @INCIndia with Social Worker Rudolf Fernandes at Azad Maidan today in the presence of CLP Leader @digambarkamat @VijayLBhike @panjikaramar @varadmardolkar & Congress Functionaries. Congress marching ahead towards Victory in 2022. #CongressforPeoplesProgress @INCGoa”
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat also took to Twitter to announce the entry of Rudolf into the party.
“Welcome Social Worker Rudolf Fernandes, son of former MLA & People’s Leader Late Victoria Fernandes in @INCIndia at historic Azad Maidan paying tributes to Martyrs Memorial & Dr T B Cunha Memorial with @INCGoa President @girishgoa, Congress Functionaries & Congress Supporters,” he wrote.
The former president of “Goa Protectors”, Fernandes had previously appealed to his supporters to join him at the induction ceremony.
Several Congress workers have raised objection within the party at the entry of Fernandes owing to his frequent brush with the law in his hay days. However, he does not have any criminal record after being acquitted in all the cases in the past for offences of extortion and matka.
It may be recalled that Fernandes had unsuccessfully contested the 2017 polls from St Cruz constituency as an independent candidate. He lost to INC candidate Antonio Fernandes, who went on to join the BJP in July 2019 along with nine other Congress MLAs.
