MARGAO
After losing out the race following the party playing second fiddle to Goa Forward for the post of Margao Municipal chairperson, a worried and anxious Congress leadership has tried to reach out to councillor Damu Shirodkar to ensure the party does not lose a loyal foot soldier as a result of the MMC fiasco.
Insiders in the Congress party say that Damu is not only a two-time councillor and a close aide of the Opposition leader, but has been the GPCC secretary and a loyal party soldier from the grass roots, with a senior leader saying the party cannot afford to lose him after his long years of service to the party.
Sources in the Congress party informed that Goa desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao reportedly reached out to Damu late Saturday night and spoke to him for a considerable time to discuss the developments that unfolded in the Margao Municipal Council.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee chief Girish Chodankar is believed to have been personally present at a meeting called by Damu’s close supporters during the weekend. Sources said Girish is believed to have conveyed the sentiments of Damu’s supporters to the Margao MLA.
Sources in the Congress party said the GPCC chief took strong note of the developments unfolding in the party, more so after the election of the MMC chairperson, which has left Damu and his workers upset after being cold shouldered by Digambar for the post of chairperson.
The GPCC chief is believed to have briefed senior party leaders that Damu was one of the loyal party soldiers, who have been active on the ground since 2005 when Digambar Kamat had embraced the party after quitting the BJP.
Meanwhile, workers and well wishers of Damu Shirodkar, who had raised a banner of revolt against Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, has conveyed to GPCC chief Girish Chodankar that the councillor should be made the chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council a month before the Assembly election.
Aggrieved by the Margao MLA’s decision not to consider him for the chairperson’s post, Damu’s supporters and workers have decided to call on Digambar and convey their decision.
The workers had as many as three meetings on Saturday with Damu, including one which was attended by GPCC chief Girish Chodankar.
The workers, well wishers and sympathisers veered to the view that if the Margao MLA is genuinely interested in making Damu the MMC chairperson, Digambar should install him on the chair one month before the Assembly election.
Damu, when contacted admitted that his workers took stock of the situation, but declined to comment on the decision of his supporters. He said the supporters have already conveyed their sentiments and decision to the GPCC chief.
He also pointed out that his supporters will call on Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and convey their decision in a day or two.
