Goa: Congress' Alemao threatens to quit if party doesnt' rethink candidates

Panaji: Hours after the Congress high command announced Goa candidates, a senior state leader Churchill Alemao today threatened to contest as an independent challenging the party’s decision to nominate Aleix Reginaldo Lourenco as the South Goa candidate. Alemao, a former Chief Minister and member of Parliament, issued a deadline of 24 hours to the party to “reconsider” its decision. The party had also refused the candidature for sitting MP Fransisco Sardinha in South Goa, where Alemao was also lobbying for a ticket to his daughter Valanka. [caption id=“attachment_1441245” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Alemao has threatened to quit the Congress. Image courtesy: YouTube[/caption]“I will contest as an independent in South Goa if the party does not reconsider its decision to give ticket to Lourenco,” Alemao announced addressing a press conference in Margao town. The Congress had announced Ravi Naik as North Goa, and Lourenco as South Goa candidates. Alemao said Valanka, who is the only woman State Youth Congress President in the entire country should have been given ticket when party talks of women empowerment. Valanka is Goa Pradesh Youth Congress Committee President. Goa Congress chief John Fernandes reacting to the statement felt that Alemao will fall in place. “If he (Alemao) has any grievances then he should address them to the party. It’s a part of politics,” he said. Lourenco said he would be able to convince Alemao to support him. PTI