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

Margao, May 25: "If Bharatiya Janata Party is a national party, then why are they not contesting in Navelim Constituency, Is it because Navelim constituency's people hate communalism? Is it why the BJP is supporting Save Goa Front Candidate Churchill Alemao from backdoor," asked union finance minister P Chidambaram while addressing   Congress public meeting at Navelim on late Friday evening.

Among the 40 constituencies in Goa assembly election, the BJP is contesting 33 seats. They have not fielded their candidate in Navelim.

"I know erstwhile member of parliament Churchill Alemao. He has given a bad name not only to the parliament, but also to Goa. Big bad name," he lambasted Churchill.

Churchill, who has quit Congress to join the "Save Goa Front" founded by him is contesting from Navelim constituency against sitting Congress MLA Luizinho Faleiro.

He also questioned as to how anyone could misuse the funds of Parliament. Those who committed this crime did not have the moral right to seek votes from the people.

Faleiro is a loyal soldier of Congress Party, who has not changed the party anytime. But Alemao have changed six parties and kept hopping from one to another, he said futher.

Without mentioning the name, his barb obviously aimed at Alemao, he said that Goa should be saved from smugglers, those demanding bribes over development, criminals and persons who go on party-hopping.

In 2005-06 the union government had released Rs 854 crore for the development of Goa, then in 2006-07 Rs 912 crore and in 2007-08, more would come, he said further.

He called upon the people never to sacrifice secularism to protect it. In turn, secularism, protects the people and the society. He appealed to the voters to vote for Luizinho Faleiro for harmony and development.

Faleiro also lambasted Alemao and said that he was luring people to grab the votes, but people will not succumb to his tricks.