MARGAO
President of the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) Dr Jorson Fernandes has quit the party and is likely to join the Trinamool Congress.
Dr Jorson’s resignation was announced by party leaders, Adv Anacleto Viegas and Adv Radharao Gracias at a media briefing on Monday.
Radharao said the UGDP had set its eyes on the Cuncolim seat in the 2022 Assembly election by fielding party president Dr Jorson. He said Dr Jorson had all the qualities of a good MLA and would be a voice of the people of Goa in the Legislative Assembly.
He, however, said the UGDP lacks the logistics to back Dr Jorson in the coming polls and hence it has been agreed that the latter would quit the party to contest on the banner of any other political party.
“When other forces come into play the small political parties get wiped out. This has happened to the UGDP over the years with the entry of new players in the political arena”, he said.
UGDP Secretary General Anacleto Viegas said Dr Jorson would be the true voice of the people of Goa in the next Assembly. He said the UGDP will not be eliminated nor merged with any other party, saying this little feeble voice is required to espouse the cause of Goa and Goans.
Radharao admitted the party has no extra strength to fight the elections for want of logistics support, when asked why the party has not insisted on Dr Jorson to contest on the party banner. “We will support Dr Jorson in Cuncolim on whichever party he contests. We felt if he contests the election as part of a bigger group, the larger group would help support the cause of Goans”, he added.
Dr Jorson said he has decided to quit the UGPD in view of the unfolding political developments in the state. “There was no other way for us. The divisive forces are telling the people what to dress, eat and speak. How are we going to deal with these forces. As a party president, we were not able to provide a formidable force for the cause of Goans. For the greater cause of Goa, I have to decided to join the TMC”, he added.
