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Luizinho Faleiro, Chief Minister, Goa (Cong) (He declines to comment on Ramakant Khalap's observation that infighting within the Congress led to his defeat and Joaquim Alemao's allegation that all Congressmen and MLAs in the South worked against him).The prime reason for the BJP's victory in both the constituencies is that we got hardly 14 days for campaign while the BJP had completed third round when we selected our candidates. It was thus difficult to reach out all the segments. Secondly, there was election fatigue all over the state while rains also affected us more. Our votes got washed away more because Congress is the mass-based party and not the cadre-based one like the BJP. No doubt, negative propaganda made through the Churches, especially where Meta Strips was the issue, affected us badly. Even the non-expansion of the cabinet must have had its role to play. In fact, that was the main demand whereever I went campaigning. The major setback in the North was in Tivim (Dayanand Narvekar's constituency) and Poriem (Pratapsing Rane) where we got much less compared to '98 Lok Sabha polls. It also proves that we needed more time for the integration at all levels between the Congress and cadres of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, who joined the party along with Khalap. In the South, the major setback was in Curtorim (Francisco Sardinha), Cortalim (Mauvin Godinho), Marcaim (MGP), Ponda (Ravi Naik) and Shiroda (Subhash Shirodkar). We were given collective responsibility by the high command to work for the party's victory. The campaign in-charge in the South was Francisco Sardinha and Ravi Naik in the North, besides Pratapsing Rane as the Pradesh Election Committee chairperson. I am in touch with the high command and we are analysing the results in our own way. But I expected these results. Even the candidates' feedback was the same. Ultimately it is the peoples' verdict, which I respect the most. People have given verdict in favour of the BJP to form the government in Delhi, like I was given a clear-cut verdict in June Assembly polls to form the government in the state. Why should I resign ? It is a cheap gimmick of the opposition. Grapes are sour, what else can I say ? Why should I be blamed for the defeat ? I had only 15 days to perform, after which came the Assembly session, followed by election code of conduct due to Lok Sabha elections. Shripad Naik (BJP) - North Goa MP - elect My victory was expected. Of course the Kargil victory and prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's performance helped us a lot to win. But the infighting within the Congress and negative impact of chief minister Luizinho Faleiro's dictatorial rule helped us to increase our margin.Owing moral responsibility of ruling party's defeat, chief minister Faleiro should now resign. I cannot simply demand that the Assembly should be dissolved. But at least Faleiro has no right to continue in power any more. Our victory means only one thing. The BJP was marching ahead step by step, increasing its number in two Assembly polls and losing a victory last time by slander margin. Now with our victory, I can proudly say that the BJP is in full command over Goa. Ramkant Angle (BJP) - South Goa MP - elect I am very very happy with my victory. It is the victory of prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. But people also voted for the BJP because of the personal image I am having among the people of South Goa.I don't think BJP's victory in both the constituencies would affect the local political scenario. That is an altogether different matter to be tackled with. I promise the people of Goa that I would now work tirelessly for the overall development of the state and get job-oriented non-polluting industries to the state. Ramkant Khalap (Cong) - North Goa loser I concede my defeat. Perhaps people did not like me joining the Congress. But besides the pro-BJP wave and the Kargil episode, the infighting within the ruling party was also equally responsible for my defeat.The only silver lining was the lead I got in Mandrem (175 votes) and the faith reposed by my constituents once again. Otherwise I would have resigned as the MLA. Joaquim Alemao (Cong) - South Goa loser I accept the people's verdict. Whatever I got was purely due to my personal image and the work put in by chief minister Luizinho Faleiro. No other Congressman worked for me. In fact they ditched me.If you feel that the frustration developed due to non-expansion of the cabinet got translated into negative voting for the Congress, then all those ministers who could not give me margin in their constituencies should resign forthwith from the cabinet. I don't think it would affect the local political scenario. Dr Wilfred de Souza - South Goa loser I did not expect to win within such a short time. Mine was hardly one-month old party when I decided to contest. But I have succeeded in getting recognition for my party, no matter even if it is in a smaller way.The votes I polled in the South was purely due to my personal contacts. |
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