Francisco Sardinha

Sardinha was a member of the Goa Legislative Assembly from 1977-1994. He held many a portfolios in the Government of Goa under the Chief Ministership of Shri Pratapsing Rane. He was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998 from Mormugao constituency in Goa.

He again became a member of the Goa Legislative Assembly in 1999 and remained in office till 2007.

In 1999, he broke away from the Indian National Congress and formed a new political party, the Goa People's Congress and became Chief minister of a coalition government in the state. He remained in office till 2000.

Later, Sardinha's GPC merged with Indian National Congress on 5 April 2001. He became Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly in 2005.

He was elected to the 14th Lok Sabha in a by-election in November, 2007 from Mormugao. He was re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha in 2009 from South Goa constituency.[1]

Although an incumbent, he was denied the Indian National Congress party's candidature for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat for the 2014 elections, a move instigated by political rivals outside the party. The candidature was instead offered to Mr.Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, a MLA representing the Curtorim Constituency in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Mr. Sardinha made his displeasure known but continued being loyal to the Congress. However, Shalom Sardinha, son of Mr. Sardinha, contested the election as an independent to protest the unfair denial of ticket. Both Mr.Lourenco and Shalom lost the election, in what would have been a sure victory for the Congress had Mr.Sardinha been given the ticket.

Mr. Sardinha is credited many pioneering contributions in Goa's development especially in education, agriculture and sports. In his last term at Member of Parliament (2009-2014) he was appointed Chairman the Estimates Committee, the most prestigious committee of Lok Sabha. He was the 25th Chairman of the Committee since 1950 and one of the five longest serving Chairmen.