BJP MLA and ex-Goa DCM Francis D'Souza dies, 3-day state mourning declared


Panaji, Feb 14 (IANS): Former Goa Deputy Chief Minister and BJP MLA Francis D'Souza died at a city hospital here on Thursday after a prolonged battle with cancer.

D'Souza's death brings the legislative tally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to 13 MLAs in the 38-member Goa Legislative Assembly, one short of the Congress party, which has 14 MLAs.

The Goa government has declared a three-day mourning in view of the death of 64-year-old legislator, who was one of the seniormost Catholic legislators of the saffron party in Goa.

 

Politicians from across party lines condoled D'Souza's death.

"Extremely pained to hear about the demise of my dear childhood friend, colleague and former Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) of Goa advocate Francis D'Souza. A wonderful human being and a leader loved by all. He devoted himself to public service. His demise is a great personal loss," Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar tweeted.

BJP spokesperson Damodar Naik said the party had lost an "iconic" leader.

State Congress President Girish Chodankar said that D'Souza was a "humble and soft-spoken" leader who discharged his duties as a social worker and a legislator well.

The Aam Aadmi Party in Goa also condoled his death, calling him a "gentleman politician".

D'Souza was being treated in the same New York facility as ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer and had been admitted to a local health facility over the last few weeks.

D'Souza was the Deputy CM in the Parrikar-led government in 2012. He was also appointed the Cabinet Minister in-charge of Urban Development in the BJP-led government sworn-in in 2017, but was later dropped as a minister on health grounds.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Dr. Cajetan Coelho, Goa, India

    Fri, Feb 15 2019

    Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon Francis D'Souza. Wishing strength and courage to all his loved ones.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Prakash D' Cunha, Bajpe/Ashoknagar/Abudhabi

    Thu, Feb 14 2019

    RIP sir.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • SUNNY DSOUZA, MARNIMIKATTE MANGALORE

    Thu, Feb 14 2019

    RIP Francis

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Thu, Feb 14 2019

    He shouldn't have joined BJP.
    RIP Francis D'Souza ...

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Sanjay, Hebri

    Thu, Feb 14 2019

    Superfine..... secular comment....you should get award for it

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Albert, Mangalore

    Thu, Feb 14 2019

    Thank God he never joined Dongi party of Pappu!

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Harold Dcunha, Mangalore, India.

    Thu, Feb 14 2019

    Albert, Mangalore

    Are you Dongi.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Edmond, Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 15 2019

    Then which party you wanted him to join? One of the best Defense minister of India was also a part of NDA from 1999 -2004. Its not party, the desire to work is important which we have seen for 60 years. If they had worked the same way as how Current NDA is working india would have been in the similar lines of US or any other developed country. it should not have been developing country. even those countries started from zero only and were not developed country as soon as they were discovered.

    Reply Report Abuse

  • Kevin Fernandes, Mumbai

    Fri, Feb 15 2019

    Edmond, Janata party has already got many opportunities to rule india in the past. But due to poor performance they lost in the next elections. The reason is BJP politicians Cannot stick together at any election due to infighting. Now, how they can develop india when they cannot develop themselves. You see the past history where they have not ruled for more than 5 years. So to say 60 years of congress rule is not justified.

    With religion intolerance no party can go ahead in a democratic country. Other Countries do not have religion intolerance. Development should be the manifesto of any political party rather than religion.

    Reply Report Abuse


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Title: BJP MLA and ex-Goa DCM Francis D'Souza dies, 3-day state mourning declared



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