Delay leaves leaders, cadres restive
PANAJI
On Wednesday when the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress met and concluded discussions on selection of candidates in Goa and four other States, several of the grand old party’s leaders had indicated that the announcement would be made by Thursday afternoon.
However, there was no sign of any such thing till late Thursday night leaving a section of the party’s local leadership and workers bewildered.
The delay in naming candidates by the High Command has left several of the party’s key functionaries and workers restive, given the daunting task on their plates to design the campaign, coordinate it with allies, especially Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which has MLAs in two seats in the South and then execute the plan.
“In a scenario where there is a dearth of foot-soldiers due to desertions by top leaders over the last four-five years, electioneering is a challenge. This delay in naming candidates is adding to our woes,” a senior Congress functionary who did not wish to be identified said.
He however added that the part to be played by the State unit and leadership in the candidate selection process is done and dusted. “It is up to the Central leadership to decide its timing and make the announcement,” he said.
Sources told The Goan that the announcement of candidates would in all probability take place on Saturday.
