PORVORIM
Insisting that the BJP should give tickets to those MLAs who have performed or those candidates who can perform well in their constituencies, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo on Wednesday said he would also suggest names outside Bardez after he had identified the three best candidates for Calangute, Siolim and Mapusa.
Lobo even went to the extent of warning that he would have to look for “other options” if the BJP did not consider those names. Speaking to reporters at the solid waste treatment plant in Saligao, Lobo reiterated his decision to recommend the names of his wife, Delilah, and Sudhir Kandolkar for Siolim and Mapusa constituencies respectively, besides his own candidature for Calangute constituency.
Taking a dig at Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza, Lobo said there had been no significant development in Mapusa in the last few years.
“The Mapusa MLA is not available in the office for public and there are complaints that Mapusa is besieged with several problems like water, roads, etc, which the MLA could not resolve. Hence, I suggested the name of Sudhir Kandolkar even though he is in the Congress party,” said Lobo.
“Next week, I will suggest names of three more candidates in other constituencies of Bardez and other talukas in Goa. It is for the BJP to consider these names and if the party does not consider those names, I will have to look for other options,” warned Lobo.
Lobo, however, remained silent when asked if he would quit the BJP and join the Congress, but only said he would be in the “people’s government” next year.
Lobo said the State government should undertake those projects which are acceptable to people in general.
“There is a lot of pollution in Mormugao. If permission is granted for the increase in coal traffic, the lives of residents of Mormugao will be miserable. The State government should not go ahead with projects unacceptable to the public and I have already conveyed my views to the party.
“People in Goa are struggling for drinking water. The State government should consider fulfilling basic needs of the people first,” said Lobo.
