The Trinamul Congress' bid to expand its base in Goa seems to be running into rough weather following its five primary members, including former legislator Lavoo Mamlatdar, quitting the the party, "accusing it of being communal and trying to create a divide between Hindus and Christians for votes. The resignations come just months ahead of the crucial Assembly elections in the state," accoding to ndtv.com.
"We had joined the TMC with a hope that it would bring brighter days for Goa and Goans. But it is unfortunate to bring to the notice that AITC has not understood Goa and Goans," the leaders said in their resignation letter to party chief Mamata Banerjee quoted by ndtv.com.
"AITC move to polarise Hindu votes towards MGP and Catholic votes towards AITC is purely communal in nature. We do not want to continue with a party that is trying to divide Goans. We will not allow AITC and the company managing AITC Goa to break the secular fabric of the state and we shall protect it," the letter added.
Mamlatdar joined TMC in the last week of September and was among "the first few local leaders in the state to join the Trinamool Congress, which has decided to contest all 40 seats in the Goa Assembly polls, due in February 2022," ndtv.com adds.
Earlier, the former Ponda MLA alleged that the Trinamul was "making false promises during the campaigning for Goa assembly polls."
"I was under the impression that TMC was not a communal party. But on December 5 alliance was declared between Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Trinamool Congress, I figured out that even TMC is communal," Mamledar, who quit MGP to join TMC told news agency ANI.
"TMC launched 'Laxmi Bhandar' scheme, promising Rs 500 per month to West Bengal women. But in Goa, they promised Rs 5,000 per month, which is next to impossible. When a party feels defeated, they make false promises. I won't be a part of a party who fools people," he said.
TMC had announced its decision to contest all 40 Assembly seats in Goa in the upcoming polls and started inducting several local leaders into its fold. It is leaving no stones unturned to gear up for the upcoming polls inducting former Goa Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro, tennis star Leander Paes and actor Nafisa Ali.
During her maiden interaction with TMC leaders in Goa recently, Mamata accused the BJP of defacing her posters in the state and said people of India will deface the saffron party.
"When I come to Goa, they deface my posters. You will be defaced from India," she said.
"You deface us (our posters), show black flags, refuse to grant permission (to hold event) because you know that TMC will due but will never compromise," she said while targeting the ruling BJP in Goa.
Banerjee said that if the TMC comes to power in Goa, it will not work with the agenda of revenge, but work for the state.
"We will work for Goa in a strong manner. It is not that we want to divide votes. You have given opportunity to all parties, now give opportunity to the TMC," she had said.
She said the initial three letters in her party's name TMC also stand for temple, mosque and church.
"BJP calls me anti-Hindu, but they are no one to give me character certificate. They should first decide their own character certificate," the 66-year-old leader said.
Stating that the TMC doesn't divide people on the basis of religions - be they are Hindus, Muslims or Christians, Banerjee said, "We unite people."Goa is scheduled to go for the Assembly polls in early 2022.
With inputs from PTI