Alina joins BJP, could be sworn in on 6 May
PTI, PANAJI | 30 April 2012 21:35 IST
Alina Saldanha greeted in BJP by CM & others
Over a month after the death of former Goa Tourism Minister Matanhy Saldanha, his wife Alina today joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with an aim to contest the Cortalim by-election, necessitated following his death.
BJP leader Matanhy Saldanha, who was inducted in the Parrikar-led cabinet as the Tourism Minister, had died on the intervening night of March 20 and 21 after suffering a massive cardiac arrest.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, along with BJP Goa chief Laxmikant Parsekar today welcomed Alina into the partyfold at a function held here.
Party sources said that Alina would be sworn in as a minister on May 6, two days after the newly-inducted Governor B V Wanchoo, who takes charge of his office on May 4.
Alina, a newcomer in the politics, said that the electorate of Cortalim will help her clinch a victory at the bypoll scheduled on June 2.
Addressing a gathering, she said that she would do her best to fulfill the promises made by her husband in the election manifesto.
He was a leader of fishing community and also fought several struggles against polluting industries.
Chief minister Manohar Parrikar said that government has been working towards fulfilling Matanhy's dream of special status to Goa.
"Everyone likes a special status. It is not in our hand. We will lobby with the Centre to get the status," he said.
