Goa Congress Leader Quits Shortly After Praising Mamata Banerjee
NDTV
Veteran Goa Congress leader Luizinho Faleiro today quit his party of 40 years amid reports that he is joining the Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee. Earlier today, he effusively praised the Bengal Chief Minister and called her the "streetfighter" who can give the BJP a tough fight.
"Mamata Banerjee has given a tough fight to Narendra Modi. The Mamata formula has won in Bengal," Luizinho Faleiro told reporters, asked to confirm that his party switch. Mr Faleiro asserted that he would continue to be a "Congressman of the larger Congress family", implying that he saw the Trinamool as the Congress offshoot best equipped to fight the BJP.
"I met some people. They said I am a Congressman of 40 years. I will continue to be a Congressman of the Congress family. Among all four Congresses, it is Mamata who has given a tough fight to (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and their juggernaut. PM Modi had 200 meetings in Bengal. Amit Shah had 250 meetings. Then there was ED, CBI. But the Mamata formula has won," said the former Chief Minister.
Describing Ms Banerjee as a streetfighter, Mr Faleiro said: "We need such fighters which are in the same party ideology, policies, principles and programmes. I would like the larger picture all Congress parties to come together to fight the BJP."
