Panaji, Sep 24 (IANS): Amid the buzz of Trinamool Congress MPs arriving in Goa to scout for political talent and ticket aspirants for the 2022 Assembly polls in the coastal state, a popular Catholic priest, Fr. Eremito Rebello, has recorded a video message for West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee to steer clear of "old dirty guys" from the Goa Congress.
Rebello, a Roman Catholic priest who has led several popular social agitations and civil society movements in the state over the last two decades, also said that roping in "rogues" from the Congress would lead to Trinamool's doom.
"This is a cry coming out from the depths of the heart of a genuine Goan who bleeds for Goa. We are hearing that old dirty guys from the Congress and other parties are planning to join the Trinamool. Madam Mamta and Mr. (Derek) O'Brien and all didis, girls and boys, please listen to what I am saying," Rebello said in the video uploaded on Facebook.
Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP O'Brien and Prasun Banerjee arrived in Goa on Thursday to meet ticket aspirants, political talent and eminent personalities from Goa to rope them into the West Bengal-based party.
"Your party can be a formidable alternative to the present ruling dispensation. But please do not dirty yourself by accepting in your party those rogue dirty politicians who have ruined the future of Goa. Right now what we are hearing is that many of such rogues are in touch with you. Just as they have destroyed the future of Congress party and the future of Goa and Goans, so will they destroy Trinamool Congress which has got such fame all over," Rebello said in his message.
Thirteen Congress MLAs in Goa have left the party to join the ruling BJP since 2017.
"I have high regard for you and I firmly believe that you can be a formidable alternative to the ruling dispensation. You have very good capable leaders who can unite all the secular forces and come to power. I beg of you, please keep away from the rogues," Rebello said.
Several Congress leaders have been reached out to by the Trinamool workers as well as members of political strategist Prashant Kishor's outfit I-PAC over the last few weeks, with the prospects of kicking off the party's election campaign in Goa.
Comment on this article
francis lobo, Mangalore
Sun, Sep 26 2021Catholic politicians of Goa are a disgrace to the state and the community. Their meek-mindedness made the Christian Chief Ministers lost their post. Be it Wilfred Dsouza, Francisco Sardina, the Churchhill brothers jumped parties and made a mess of Goa. The MLAs like Babush or Micky Pacheo is a disgrace to the community. Congress only survived because of the Hindu/Maratha chief ministers and not because of Catholic MLA's. They jumped like frogs from party to party and also supported the ruling dispensation for their gain. So TMC or AAP will be well off by avoiding these Christian politicians than taking them and getting doomed
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G R PRABHUJI, Mangalore
Sun, Sep 26 2021I think that it is too early to enter Goa for TMC. In this time. Already AAP is trying its level best to win in Goa, but I feel that the votes may be split between AAP and TMC. Because I think goan voters want a change from BJP, CONGRESS AND LOCAL PARTIES. I think JDs entered Kerala and won 1 seat. And now JDs may also enter goa.
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mohan prabhu, mangalore/canada
Fri, Sep 24 2021Dabbling in politics by priests! This is not new in Goa because the RCs has a sizeable population. Why not advise your flock to vote according to their conscience, and not choose a corrupt candidate, whichever party he/she belongs, That would have been a kosher thing to do.
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Jossey Saldanha, Thane
Fri, Sep 24 2021Only Mamata can defeat these Communal & Corrupt Rogues ...
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Veer, Nagpur
Fri, Sep 24 2021Is it ok with him for recent BJP ‘Dirty Guys’ joining TMC????……. What he means by ‘Your party can be formidable alternative to the present ruling dispensation’ ????……Dear father, please correct yourself and be advised that TMC is the present formidable ruling party in WB and recently most of BJP ministers have joined TMC and not congress. The opposition strength of BJP in WB is declining and weakening. BTW, this is new BJP’s dirty misadventure to lure Roman Catholic bishops and priests to attack its opponents. No mention about BJP the dirtiest party in Indian history from this priest.
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j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru
Fri, Sep 24 2021Ayyo! So much hatred in mind and deep heart jealousy. Its bad for health. Anyways, the priest talks about the party which needs to thrown from Goan shores into the Arabian Sea. Respect his words
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Veer, Nagpur
Fri, Sep 24 2021Who is teaching hatred to Priest?????…….FYI, Congress fought, shed blood and got independence for Goa from Portuguese. BJP were not to be seein those days. Congress could have easily allied with Portuguese and looted the country like RSS did with britishers but congress chose to work and serve the country.
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Kishore Kumar, Mangaluru
Sun, Sep 26 2021... at least Britishers did not convert by force
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Charles D'Mello, Pangala
Fri, Sep 24 2021I dont mind wearing Chappals to assembly...but the corrupt politicians must be thrown out into Arabian sea which is nearby.
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