Goa Election: Joining 'Outsider' TMC Was A Mistake, Says Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco

Addressing a press conference in Panaji on Monday, Lourenco hinted at joining back Congress and said he was carried away by the TMC's promise of a 'new dawn'.

Former Goa Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco joined TMC in December (Twitter/TMC)

New Delhi: A day after he quit TMC, former Goa Congress leader Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said joining the Mamata Banerjee-led party was a "mistake" and he faced severe backlash from his supporters. 

Goa goes to polls on February 14 and counting of votes will be done on March 10.

Addressing a press conference in Panaji on Monday, Lourenco hinted at joining back Congress and said he was carried away by the TMC's promise of a "new dawn" in the coastal state.

During door to door campaigning in #Curtorim, there was a backlash from the public. Hence I was recommended by my supporters to do course correction as soon as possible.
Yes, better late than never.https://t.co/q8FXr0v4Xp

— Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco (@ReginaldoGoa) January 17, 2022

Lourenco, who was the MLA from Curtorim and the working president of Goa Congress, resigned from the party in December and joined TMC. On Sunday, he resigned from TMC without assigning any reason.

He said his supporters were apprehensive that joining TMC would invite an "outside party" to Goa and split the votes. 

"I have hurt many friends and also my near and dear supporters (by crossing over to TMC). I also hurt my family members and those who stood with me in thick and thin," Lourenco said at the press conference.

"I have fought for the people. I had raised their issues in the Legislative Assembly. I have worked for the people with my heart and mind," he further said.

Speaking about his future move, Lourenco said his supporters had asked him to rejoin the Congress.

"Congress leader Michael Lobo has asked me to rejoin the Congress party. I will listen to what my people say," he said.

Last month, former Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar quit the TMC two months after joining it, accusing the party of trying to divide Goans on religious lines.