From Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)

Margao, Jun 8: Over the last six months and longer and also during the run-up to the polls in Goa, Save Goa Front President and now a MLA-elect from Navelim constituency Churchill Alemao had challenged Congress that he would defeat their three heavyweight MLA from Salcete, out of which he did succeed in defeating two.

Alemao had openly said many times that he would defeat three Congress MLAs from Salcete in the assembly election, and he was determined about it. With this aim in mind, to defeat Congress MLA Luizinho Faleiro he contested against him and won with a margin of 4504 votes.

To defeat Congress MLA and speaker Fransico Sardinha from Curtorim constituency he fielded his candidate Alexio Reginald Lorence on Save Goa Front ticket, and he (Lorence) also got elected by 1827 margin votes. But he could not ensure the victory of Remegio Fernandes from Loutulim constituency on Save Goa Front ticket, and Congress MLA Alex Siqquera won there.

Alemao who had played a vital role in toppling the BJP-led government in Goa, when he was the Congress member of Parliament two years back, to form Congress government has not got an invitation from congress party to be their ally in forming govt., although he has two seats with Save Goa Front.

In this regard, when contacted Alemao and asked whether Congress had approached him to form the government, he replied in the negative.

When this correspondent also asked him if his not being invited was a result of his severe criticism of the Congress party, and if regretted his ourbursts, he declined to comment, adding that if Congress approaches him, he would think of allying with them.

"I can stay without power. I have no problem. I am not hungry for power, but if Congress approaches me for help in forming the government, I will think it over," he further said.