Erasmo de Sequeira

Erasmo Jesus de Sequeira (22 December 1938 – 16 July 1997) was an Indian politician, social worker, and parliamentarian. He represented the Marmagoa parliamentary constituency twice from 1967 to 1977. He has been described as a "man of letters", and was known for his fluency in many languages.

Early life Erasmo Jesus de Sequeira was born on 22 December 1938 in Nova Goa, Portuguese Goa, to Jack de Sequeira and Lilia Margarida de Gouveia Pinto. His father was the founder of the United Goans Party and also the first Leader of Opposition in the Goa assembly, and is popularly known as the Father of the Opinion Poll in Goa.

Role in the Goa Opinion Poll The United Goans Party was the main proponent of a referendum on the issue of merger of Goa with Maharashtra. During the Goa Opinion Poll, Jack and Erasmo were the leaders of the anti-merger faction. Sequeira pasted posters in the dead of the night. He conducted meetings with other activists to plan strategies. He did the legwork that his father required of him.

Political career

As a parliamentarian (1967–1977) De Sequeira was the leader of the United Goans Party (Sequeira Group); which was founded by his father. He represented Marmagoa parliamentary constituency twice between 1967 and 1977. He was also a member of the Parliamentary Estimates Committee between 1968 and 1969.

On one occasion, Gandhi invited de Sequeira to join the Indian National Congress. She assured him that he would be made a Deputy Minister. When he refused, she offered to make him a Minister of State. He refused again, saying that he aimed higher. Indira told him that she could not make him a Cabinet Minister due to his lack of experience. De Sequeira replied that he did not want that either. When Indira finally asked Sequeira what he wanted he replied, "Your chair, madam, your chair!".

Personal life De Sequeira married Maureen, and they had three children: Amita, Anil, and Aisha, a banker at Morgan Stanley India. His nephew, Jack Ajit Sukhija, through his sister Lily, serves as a councilor in the Corporation of the City of Panaji.

Death De Sequeira died at his residence from a heart attack in Campal, Goa on 16 July 1997.