Churchill Alemao to contest Lok Sabha polls from South Goa – either independently or on NCP (Ajit Pawar) ticket claim sources

PANAJI: Former MP Churchill Alemao and ex-MLA of Benaulim is gearing up to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from South Goa, either on a Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) or independently, it is learnt.

Alemao has always harped and boasted of his direct link with the people of Salcete, rather than affiliating with any political party, but he is not averse to contesting on an NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction ticket if given the chance, sources claimed.

Alemao, had earlier (last year) expressed his willingness to contest polls based on what he called ‘public demand’. As quoted by local newspaper Herald, Churchill had asserted, “I don’t need any party; I will contest on the ‘people’s ticket’ if the citizens show the desire for my representation.”

Churchill Alemao is known for his party hopping and past affiliations with various political parties be it the Trinamool Congress, NCP, etc. While he was a formidable political force in South Goa during the late 1990s, he hardly wields any clout in the present scenario at present.

“It is the people who elect you not the party. All this while people have elected me, and if they want me to, I will contest the Lok Sabha elections in 2024,” Alemao was quoted by Herald as saying in November last year.

Alemao was not available for comment and calls to his phone went unanswered.