Staff Reporter

Margao

South Goa Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Sardinha said that if he is given the Congress ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it would be his last poll.

The 77-year-old leader made the statement while speaking to mediapersons at the South Goa District Congress office in Margao on Wednesday.

“If the party gives the ticket, and if the people want me to contest the 2024 elections, I will contest and it will be the last election. I will not contest any further after this but I will stay with the party even if not given a ticket,” he
said.

He called on the state government to pay attention to several issues facing the state and to look into correcting and improving the situation.

From the issue of power fluctuations, to the increasing rates of robberies, renewal of excise licence and providing pending compensation to farmers, Sardinha called on the state departments and their ministers to look into the issues and find solutions so that the common man is not inconvenienced.

He also spoke about the recent Odisha triple-train accident where 288 people died and thousands were injured. “There has been an announcement of compensation for family members, but those who have become permanently disabled due to the accident must also be given Rs 10 lakh as compensation. Those responsible must be put behind bars for their negligence. The railway minister who has other portfolios must be given only the railway ministry,” he said.

“The speed of the trains must be decreased till the relevant devices to avoid accidents are installed. Only once these measures are installed, can these fast trains be launched,” Sardinha added.