After repeated failed attempts, Rodolfo Fernandes last March managed to become MLA of Santa Cruz as he had contested on a Congress ticket. However, his ulterior motives soon led him to betray his voters and defect to the BJP. Even a week before defection he vowed to remain loyal to his party as he claimed Congress blood flowed through his veins. He also stated that even if other 10 MLAs were to leave, he would remain steadfast with Congress as its loyal soldier. It was a cheap mockery that on September 14th he shamelessly claimed he had spoken to his dead mother who gave him the green light to embrace BJP.
A perusal of affidavit on 25th January last year filed by Rodolfo Fernandes along with his nomination papers for Assembly elections makes interesting reading.
For someone who has always been crying poverty, his declared assets of over Rs 34, 99, 15,962 (thirty four crores ninety nine lakhs fifteen thousand nine hundred and sixty two) is mind boggling. Only God would know about the undeclared. A whopping Rs 6, 75, 17,903 (six crores seventy five lakhs seventeen thousand nine hundred and three) in bank deposits.Agricultural land worth Rs 13, 41, 25,950 (thirteen crores forty-one lakhs twenty five thousand nine hundred and fifty) in Tiswadi, Bicholim and at Ratnagiri besides Non-agricultural land worth Rs 3, 58, 43,078 (three crores fifty eight lakhs forty three thousand and seventy eight) in Tiswadi, Bardez and Bicholim.Residential premises in Tiswadi and Bardez worth Rs 4, 92, 45,976 (four crores ninety two lakhs forty five thousand nine hundred and seventy six) while commercial premises worth Rs 2, 90, 79,976 (two crores ninety lakhs seventy nine thousand nine hundred and seventy six) also in Tiswadi and Bardez. Investment policy in an Insurance company worth Rs 15,27,600 (fifteen lakhs twenty seven thousand) while Investment in Bonds, shares and Mutual funds worth Rs 50,62,802 (fifty lakhs sixty two thousand eight hundred and two). Rodolfo Fernandes has also given Personal loans to individuals including firms to the tune of Rs 1,13,94,040 (one crore thirteen lakhs ninety four thousand and forty) and also a personal loan to two individuals amounting to Rs 72, 16,162 (seventy two lakhs sixteen thousand one hundred and sixty two). In his affidavit the now Santa Cruz MLA had stated that he owns five vehicles worth a total of Rs 89, 03,055) eighty nine lakhs three thousand and fifty five.
No wonder with such enormous wealth Rodolfo Fernandes decided to join the BJP, otherwise he would have had Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax officials at his doorstep. Where he has parked those fifty crores, he reportedly pocketed that September 14th defection remains to be seen. By any standards, this is a remarkable self-proclaimed rags to riches story where more money goes to money no matter how!
