Churchil says will contest assembly elections from Navelim

Margao, Mar 10 (UNI) South Goa Congress MP Churchil Alemao, known for his outbursts against own party colleagues, has announced his decision to contest from Navelim in the forthcoming state legislative assembly elections.

He, however, did not reveal whether he had decided to quit the Congress or resign his Lok Sabha membership.

Addressing a convention here today, Mr Churchil, did not mention on which party ticket he would contest from Navelim, which is represented by Education Minister and his staunch rival Luizinho Faleiro.

Mr Churchil was recently slapped with a showcause notice by the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee for his ''anti-party activities''. He had then said he will quit the Congress and join his parental party, the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP), if given its full command.

Efforts were, however, underway for a patch up with Mr Churchil and Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane had asserted that no one would resign from the Party before the assembly elections.

Mr Churchil had openly opposed the developmental programmes of the Congress-led coalition government in Goa, including the North-South Expressway, and construction of an international airport at Mopa in North Goa among others.

He had even launched a massive campaign against the programmes in the state and Education Minister Luizinho Faleiro had to launch a counter-offensive.

UNI