Alina has Matanhy's qualities: Kutthalkars

MARGAO: Locals from Cortalim and close supporters of Alina Saldanha dismiss speculations that several issues could work against Alina and state that Alina shared the same qualities as her late husband Matanhy and that her concern for the people of Cortalim and the downtrodden would work for her in the upcoming elections.
"Alina is an upright woman just like her husband, and my uncle Matanhy has worked tirelessly for the people.Alina was a major part of it," said Alina's niece Malisa Simoes while alleging that all those hitting out at Alina had vested interests.
"She has been busy trying to help the local people who have approached her with their problems," added Simoes, stating that it would be prudent not to ask Alina questions pertaining to her constituency after she is elected as Alina needed time to understand the issues before forming an opinion.
Other locals from the village said that the most important factor that would work for Alina was that she would be able to take up the issues of the locals of Cortalim and that is what mattered to them.
John Ferandes, a resident of Cansaulim, added that if the people of Goa wanted Alina to take up other state issues then Alina was more than capable of taking them up with the government
Ashley Fernandes, a social activist and keen supporter of the Saldanha family, added that the BJP government would handle various issues such as the medium of instruction, Mopa airport and pointed out that the chief minister had recently categorically stated that there would be no marina in Sancoale.
"As far the MOI issue is concerned, we are confident that the BJP government will solve it amicably and the chief minister has categorically stated that the Dabolim airport will be retained and not scrapped," added Fernandes. Fernandes further said the people of Cortalim wanted the other MLAs to push the Navy to shift its base to Seabird in Karnataka.