the goan I network
PANAJI
Kavalekar was speaking at a meeting of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee leaders convened at Panaji to discuss the upcoming by-polls in Panaji and Valpoi constituencies.
Addressing the press, Kavalekar said, "The manner and the level at which Modi ‘sarkar' concentrated its entire energy on destabilizing Patel were visible. It showed that they employ everything at hand to acquire power. What does this mean for democracy? The way in which Congress stood united behind Patel was seen by all. If the party can unite across the country this way, we can return to power."
Commenting on the Panaji and Valpoi by-polls, Kavalekar assured that the mandate given to Congress by rural Goa in the recent polls stands undefeated and will be upheld once more.
Meanwhile, member of GPCC working committee led by general secretary Dr Ulhas Parab passed a resolution resolving anew to fight the forces seeking to harm the constitutional values.
Referring to the fresh attempts by the Sangh Parivar to claim its allegedly dominant role in the Quit India movement, GPCC president Shantaram Naik stated, "BJP leaders in Goa should hang their heads in shame because their party leaders had betrayed the nation during the freedom struggle."
He further likened the state government to an illegal construction. "While the state government is demolishing illegal constructions around the state, I want to point out that the present government is the first illegal construction in Goa built overnight by betraying the mandate of the people," Naik declared.
Only 6 out of 16 Cong MLAs attend meet
PANAJI: The all-important meet convened by GPCC president Shantaram Naik was expected to be attended by at least 100 members including all elected MLAs of the party, chiefs of all frontal organisations, block Congress members and other top office bearers of the party.
However, the attendance barely crossed 50 and included only six MLAs -- Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavalekar, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Nuvem MLA Wilfred D'Sa, St Andre MLA Francisco Silveira, Ponda MLA Ravi Naik and St Cruz MLA Antonio Fernandes. Senior Congressman and former Chief Minister Fransisco Sardinha was among those on the dais. Interestingly, while Curtorim MLA Reginaldo declared that all MLAs will begin lending a hand to the two party candidates in their respective constituency, the party chief failed to mention this.
