Five Goa leaders who joined TMC this yr quit, say party tried to 'divide Goans on religious lines'

Besides Mamledar, the local leaders who resigned from the party include Kishor Parwar, Komal Parwar and Sujay Mallik.

In their resignation letter to All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) chief Mamata Banerjee, the departing leaders said, "We had thought that the AITC is a secular party but with deep regret, we would like to bring to your notice that AITC has tried to divide Goans on the basis of religion by aligning with Sudan Dhavalikar."

"AITC move to polarise Hindu votes towards MGP and Catholic votes towards AITC is purely communal in nature. We do not want to continue with a party that is trying to divide Goans. We will not allow AITC and the company managing AITC Goa to break the secular fabric of the state and we shall protect it," the letter added.

Lavoo Mamledar, former Ponda MLA had joined TMC in September last. He was one of the first local leaders in Goa to join the TMC.

Speaking to ANI, Mamledar said, "I was under the impression that TMC was not a communal party. But on December 5 alliance was declared between Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Trinamool Congress, I figured out that even TMC is communal."

Mamledar, who earlier was in MGP, also accused TMC of making false promises during the campaigning for Goa assembly polls.

"TMC launched 'Laxmi Bhandar' scheme, promising Rs 500 per month to West Bengal women. But in Goa, they promised Rs 5000 per month, which is next to impossible. When a party feels defeated, they make false promises. I won't be a part of a party who fools people," he said.

Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) aggressively started campaigning for the upcoming polls after former Goa Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro joined the party. Earlier this month, the TMC supremo was embarked on a three-day visit to the coastal state.

Goa is scheduled to go for the Assembly polls in early 2022. (ANI)