Most people at Mamata Banerjee – Churchill Alemao’s TMC rally were ‘paid outsiders’: TMC leader Tony Dias reveals the truth

MARGAO, GOA: Spilling the beans on former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Churchill Alemao’s induction function at Benaulim, in the presence of All India Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, another rival TMC leader from the same constituency Tony Dias, who was assured of a TMC ticket earlier, hit out at the party leadership saying most of the attendees (crowd) were “paid outsiders” from other constituencies.

Speaking to a local news outlet, Dias came down heavily on his own party leadership, claiming that he was promised the Benaulim ticket by the TMC in the month of October, much before Alemao joined. They (TMC leaders) told me Churchill would not be given entry into the party, Dias said.

“I joined the TMC in October and was promised the ticket. I was assured that Churchill would not be part of the TMC. Now with the tainted former PWD Minister joining the party, the TMC is finished for sure, at least in Benaulim,” Dias said.

“TMC told me they do not want a person like Churchill who has criminal cases and a bad reputation. I met Prashant Kishor many times and was promised the Benaulim ticket. I am going to wait for few days as I still trust PK, but after that will take my decision,” Dias said.

He alleged that Churchill has no supporters of his own and had brought in “paid crowd and migrant laborers from neighbouring constituencies like Navelim”. The rest of the crowd were IPAC workers who have been brought in from Bengal, Dias alleged.

He also vowed to dump the TMC and contest as an independent if Alemao was given the ticket from Benaulim. “Prashant Kishor has told me a final decision will be taken before Christmas. I will wait till then, or else will contest as an independent and ensure that Churchill is defeated,” Dias said.