the goan I network
PANAJI
Senior Congress leader Jeetendra Deshprabhu on Monday criticized the ongoing process for selection of GPCC president and urged the party high command to consider the candidature of a Congressman belonging to the minority community from North Goa for the post of party chief.
Arguing on the fault line of North-South divide within the party, Deshprabhu stated, “Like in the South, there are many minority leaders in the North. Everybody is looking for leaders only in the South. Is the North being left for a free ride for the ruling party? Congress needs to look at the North so that there is balance of electoral numbers. The visiting AICC secretaries have not understood the politics behind the North and South Goa districts. They need to examine how they can balance between the two.”
He pointed out that it has been a policy of the Congress in the past that whenever there is a leader of Opposition appointed from the majority community, the minority community gets another big position to balance the political aspects in Goa. Interestingly, Deshprabhu said that GPCC general secretary and spokesperson Agnel Fernandes could be considered for the top post.
The former MLA also argued on the fact that the Leader of Opposition, Mahila Congress president, AICC secretary and just about every person who is of any consequence is from the South.
“Six out of 17 were from North initially. One has since gone to the other side. Some other MLAs are also toying with the idea because in the North there is no person who will hold the citadel of the party,” the Congressman said.
He asked the party high command to consider a strategy to present strong leadership to the minority community in North and to bear in mind the socio-political segregation of Goan society so as to capture more votes at the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Deshprabhu also opined that Congress Legislative Party and party organization are distinct entities. “There is no reason to ask MLAs for their choice. It is the capability of the person that should be considered, be it at party or legislature level,” he said.
The veteran Congressman also struck down the growing hum for young leadership stating that “30 to 35-year-olds cannot take a call on election strategy” and that “time tested leadership has to be brought in for consensus”.
Meanwhile, Deshprabhu informed that he will be leaving for Delhi tomorrow to meet AICC leaders including national president Rahul Gandhi in order to communicate this matter to them.
