MAPUSA
Upset over the sudden decision to induct some BJP leaders into the Congress, former Calangute MLA and GPCC Vice President Agnelo Fernandes hit out at his own party stating that the Congress has been functioning like a private limited company.
Fernandes on Wednesday also said minority leaders were being sidelined in the party.
“Who is running the party? The PCC should hold consultations before taking a decision of giving entry to leaders of other parties. It looks like our party is run like a private limited company. We are going to take this up in the party forum,” Fernandes said, while addressing the media in Mapusa.
He also reminded that in the last Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) meeting, the party had decided there will be no alliance with Goa Forward Party and then suddenly changed its mind and decided to have an alliance with the party.
The former Calangute MLA was upset for being informed at the last minute about the decision to take Reis Magos Sarpanch Kedar Naik into the Congress.
Incidentally, Naik is known to be a close associate of Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and there is possibility that Lobo would soon join the Congress.
“There is a consultation process. There is a PCC. I am the Vice President. I did not know till this morning that one BJP person is joining the Congress from the neighbouring constituency. Why do you have committees then? We have been given positions but no authority or no consultation for anything,” he rued.
He further said there was no problem if people from other parties join the Congress, but if they were promised a ticket then it was wrong.
“We were told by Goa election in-charge P Chidambaram that only names recommended by the block will be considered for a party ticket. Now, some other people are being taken and promised…That is wrong. The voters of Congress are not going to keep quiet,” he said.
Fernandes observed that if Congress has been reduced to just two MLAs today it was because the party has failed to reward loyalty.
Fernandes on Wednesday also said minority leaders were being sidelined in the party.
“Who is running the party? The PCC should hold consultations before taking a decision of giving entry to leaders of other parties. It looks like our party is run like a private limited company. We are going to take this up in the party forum,” Fernandes said, while addressing the media in Mapusa.
He also reminded that in the last Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) meeting, the party had decided there will be no alliance with Goa Forward Party and then suddenly changed its mind and decided to have an alliance with the party.
The former Calangute MLA was upset for being informed at the last minute about the decision to take Reis Magos Sarpanch Kedar Naik into the Congress.
Incidentally, Naik is known to be a close associate of Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and there is possibility that Lobo would soon join the Congress.
“There is a consultation process. There is a PCC. I am the Vice President. I did not know till this morning that one BJP person is joining the Congress from the neighbouring constituency. Why do you have committees then? We have been given positions but no authority or no consultation for anything,” he rued.
He further said there was no problem if people from other parties join the Congress, but if they were promised a ticket then it was wrong.
“We were told by Goa election in-charge P Chidambaram that only names recommended by the block will be considered for a party ticket. Now, some other people are being taken and promised…That is wrong. The voters of Congress are not going to keep quiet,” he said.
Fernandes observed that if Congress has been reduced to just two MLAs today it was because the party has failed to reward loyalty.
