State Congress president Luizinho Faleiro
emerged victorious in Navelim, having beaten former fisheries minister Avertano Furtardo by 2,500 votes. Excerpts from an interview with TOI...You made a comeback to Navelim constituency after a long time. What are your thoughts at the moment?I served the party at the national level for eight years which kept me away from the people of my constituency. When I decided to contest this election, I didn’t even get 10 days to campaign, but I am indebted to the people of Navelim who embraced me with open arms. Navelim has gone backward in terms of development; I will now rededicate myself for the development of my constituency.
As the Congress president, you must be pleased with the party’s performance...There were several Doubting Thomases who were predicting that the Congress would not get more than 2-3 seats. The results have proven that it is ultimately the people who are the masters. We have our party manifesto and vision document in place; we will try to implement it in the state, no matter which party forms the government. The state has gone backwards during BJP’s rule, and it is a great responsibility to bring Goa back (on the track of development).
Will you stake a claim to the chief minister’s post if Congress forms the government?When I came to Goa at the request of Sonia Gandhi, I served the party at the state-level without harbouring any personal expectations. I leave it to the high command to take a decision. I have never shrugged away from taking responsibility, and as the party president, I would accept any responsibility.