-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | 3rd Annual Konkan Fruit Fest, Goa - May 6-8, 2005 | | | | Today's Events include Mango Eating Competition, Fruit carving and | | Cultural Programs. Check out http://konkanfruit.swiki.net | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- UGDP’s Benaulim nominee is Monte Cruz
NT News Service www.navhindtimes.com Margao May 4, 2005: The United Goans Democratic Party today announced that the former sports minister and UGDP president, Mr Monte Cruz would be the party candidate for the by-elections from the Benaulim constituency. Making this announcement at a hurriedly convened press conference, the party general secretary, Mr Anacleto Viegas with other party leaders in tow said, “The party has as of now only decided on the candidate for the Benaulim seat, based of the feedback received from the electorate of the constituency.” The party president and candidate from Benaulim, Mr Monte Cruz stated that he was confident of victory and informed that workers of the Congress party were also rallying behind him to ensure his victory. “My good work will count,” he added. To a query whether he was being supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr Cruz remarked, “the BJP candidate for the last elections, Ms Laxmi Gonsalves is canvassing for the NCP. This clearly indicates a hidden pact between the two parties.” The former minister who as a Congress MLA is credited to have built the Nehru Stadium at Fatorda in record six-month time told reporters that the Congress had meted out injustice to him in spite of his good record and the development carried out by him as MLA and minister. “The party ticket was given to Mr Churchill Alemao, in spite of me defeating him,” Mr Cruz revealed. The vice-president of the party, Mr Radharao Gracias disclosed that the UGDP’s main priority would be to defeat the BJP. “We will not help the BJP in coming back to power,” he said. When asked about the UGDP putting up a candidate against erstwhile United Legislature Party member — the NCP, Mr Gracias explained that it was the party’s aim to defeat the BJP during government formation. “When the BJP government led by Mr Manohar Parrikar was ousted, the NCP’s role was doubted. It was not a part of the ouster programme,” he revealed adding that the NCP came into the picture only when Mr Pratapsingh Rane became the chief minister. As for Ms Jeniffer Monserrate, the wife of former town and country planning minister, Mr Atanasio Monseratte, who is vice-president of the party, it was told that she never took charge of the post at all. Those who attended the press conference included Ms Auda Viegas, general secretary, Mr Prashant Naik and Mr Shravan Dubashi. The Cortalim MLA, Mr Mathany Saldanha, who was invited, did not turn up. The UGDP president has been a two-time MLA from Benaulim in the early eighties and defeated the present South Goa MP, Mr Churchill Alemao in 1980. In the last assembly elections, Mr Monte Cruz was defeated by Mr Damu Naik of the BJP, who polled 5,695 votes. In the three-cornered fight, that also had Mr Luis Alex Cardoso fighting on the Congress ticket, Mr Cruz polled around 3,900 votes. Having started his career from the grassroot level, Mr Cruz has also been the past president of the All-Goa Toddy Tappers Association. - Forwarded by http://www.goa-world.com WHAT'S ON AROUND WITH THE GOANS IN THE GULF: YGC BAHRAIN MAY QUEEN BALL Date: 05-05-05 Organized by: Young Goans Club, Bahrain Venue: Palace Inn Hotel Highlights: The YGC May Queen Contest ANNUAL MAY QUEEN BALL Date: 05-05-05 Organized by Goan Welfare Associate(GWA), Qatar Venue: The Diplomatic Club. Highlights: Crowning of the May Queen. UPCOMING EVENT IN GOA: FRUIT FEST 2005 http://www.goa-world.com/goa/fruitfest/ Thought for Today: Everything you are against weakens you. Everything you are for empowers you. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- * G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Make your mother in Goa happy on Mothers' Day. http://www.goa-world.com/goa/expressions/mothersday/ Limited "Mother's Happiness" packages. First come, first serve. -----------------------------------------------------------------------