Holds talks with leaders in Delhi, aims for unity before local polls
PANAJI
Amid speculation over an internal rift within the Goa Congress over possible leadership change, the party high command seems to have decided to maintain the status quo on Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president’s post for now.
The AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal along with Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare and party spokesperson Anjali Nimbalkar held one-to-one meeting with senior Goa Congress leaders that included South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, GPCC chief Amit Patkar, and ex-GPCC chief Girish Chodankar.
The meeting that lasted for a couple of hours in the Delhi office was called to keep balance between party unity following reports that former GPCC chief Chodankar may return to lead the party ahead of the Zilla Panchayat election, replacing Patkar.
Sources confirmed that the party high command, for now, seems to have decided to maintain the status quo on leadership, following strong opposition to Chodankar’s nomination. “Soon, the party will issue an official statement clarifying on the subject,” sources said.
Sources revealed it was a one-to-one meeting with the leaders, who informed the high command that Chodankar cannot be a right person to replace Patkar, at this point giving the past record.
The 38-year-old Patkar was appointed as GPCC chief, replacing Chodankar, in April 2022 following the party's debacle in Assembly elections.
The State is set to go for crucial Zilla Panchayat elections in December, followed by Municipal elections in mid-2026.
Both Patkar and Chodankar remained unavailable for the comments while LoP Yuri Alemao confirmed about the meeting but refused to divulge details stating that it is the party's internal matter.
