Team Herald
MARGAO: The Congress’ Margao block will observe September 14 with a ‘silent assembly’ at Lohia Maidan in Margao, marking the anniversary of the defection of Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and seven other Congress MLAs to the BJP.
Addressing the media, Robert Vaz, Aneil Alvares, Lincoln Gomes, Anwar Naroo, Damodar Onskar, Iftiyaz Sayed, Camilo Camara, Savio Coutinho, and Adv Snehal Onskar, highlighted the significance of September 6, 2022. They recalled how this day stood out for reporters when Margao MLA Digambar Kamat’s defection was revealed, despite his prior denials.
Coutinho recalled that Kamat’s defection became evident through news reports, notably one based on a boarding pass that revealed his visit to Delhi to meet BJP leaders, despite local opposition to his entry into the party. “The lack of support for Kamat from Madgaonkars was evident during the Parliament elections, where his confidence in overcoming his misdeeds was severely challenged,” he said. Coutinho further remarked that recent efforts by private labourers wearing "Model Margao" T-shirts to clean Margao seem to stem from concerns about voters' reactions against the BJP.
On September 14, citizens from various political affiliations will gather to silently condemn the betrayal of the electorate by the eight MLAs - Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Rajesh Phaldesai, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes, aside from Kamat, who justified their defection by invoking God, according to Coutinho.
Aneil Alvares, South district member, expressed doubt over Kamat's chances of re-election, pointing out that his switch to the ruling BJP does not guarantee future support from voters. Adv Snehal Onskar criticized Kamat for allegedly harassing his critics, while Lincoln Gomes called on Goan youth and seniors to avoid supporting detectors and vote wisely in the next Assembly elections.