from Special Correspondent
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (AF)

Panaji, Jan 19: Save Goa Front legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco who is with the group of nine dissident legislators on Saturday January 19 accused his party president Churchill Alemao of attempting to merge the party into Congress.

Lourenco, who is one among the two SGF legislator (second being Alemao himself), had switched over sides although he is yet to withdraw support to the government formally. 

The first timer Curtorim constituency legislator, who defeated Goa's Congress chief Fransisco Sardinha, has developed severe differences with his party chief Alemao. 

"He is hell-bent to merge the party into Congress and is finding me as a hurdle," Lourenco stated this morning.

While nine dissidents have raised the banner of revolt against Digamber Kamat-led government, public works department (PWD) minister Alemao is also in their line of fire. The dissident group is strongly lobbying to strip off Alemao from PWD portfolio.

In the crisis that began post Jan 16, Congress is left with SGF as its sole alliance partner. Amongst two SGF legislators, one has already switched over the side while Alemao is still with the Congress.

Alemao, who is also a party whip on the floor, had issued notice to Lourenco asking him to explain his absenteeism on the floor of the house on January 16.

Lourenco, who is seen in regular meetings of dissident legislators, said on Saturday January 19 that it is only because of him that that SGF has remained as an independent entity. "In the past, Alemao had tried to merge the party with Congress and due to my opposition he had to reconsider," Curtorim legislator said.

He said that Alemao wants him to resign so that he can merge the party with Congress.

In 40-seat Goa legislative assembly, Congress has 16 legislators, BJP 14, NCP three, Save Goa Front, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party and independents two each and United Goans Democratic Party one.