How Goa strongman Luizinho Faleiro may benefit TMC as it tests new waters

Political circles in Goa are abuzz with the talks of former Goa chief minister and the sitting MLA of Navelim constituency, Luizinho Faleiro, joining the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after quitting Congress.

The buzz gained further momentum after the announcement of a mega press conference by Luizinho Faleiro, who is Goa’s senior-most Congress leader. Luizinho Faleiro will be addressing the media at the ballroom of the Marriott Hotel in Miramar on Monday.

Falerio, meanwhile, added fuel to the fire on Sunday by telling reporters in Goa that he has been “after meditating for the last few days his mind is made up”. He, however, denied meeting any TMC leader or being invited by the party to join its ranks.

Till a few days ago, Falerio was considered close to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He has been representing Navelim since 1980 and was elected from the seat for the first time on a Congress ticket. In 1984, he won the seat as an independent to clinch the seat again in 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2002 on a Congress ticket.

The seat was won by Churchill Alemao of the Save Goa front in 2007 and Avertano Furtado in 2012. Falerio wrested back control of the seat in 2017.

Falerio’s significance in Goa can be gauged from the fact that recently, the AICC appointed him chief of the 13-member Campaign Committee for Goa elections.

About G jimss