MARGAO
As the Congress kick-started its constituency level meetings from minority dominated Velim constituency on Wednesday to tone up the organization ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, party leadership had to grapple with a contentious question “ whether the Congress will not field a candidate from the minority community for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat?
The party leadership had to also contend with the sentiments of the workers when they demanded that the party leadership shortlist the candidate in advance so that the party can go about the election campaign in right earnest.
Party leadership, comprising of GPCC Chief Amit Patkar assured the party workers from Velim that the PCC will convey the sentiments of the workers to the High Command for an appropriate decision.
Party leaders, including Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, senior vice-president M K Sheikh, ticket contender Capt. Viriato Fernandes, besides South Goa district Congress Chief Savio D’Silva and Moreno Rebello simply watched when a worker reminded the Congress that the minority stronghold of South Goa has been a bastion of the Congress party over the years.
Referring to reports doing the rounds in political circles, a party worker sought to know whether the Congress leadership has any plan not to give the ticket for the South Goa seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls to a candidate from the minority community.
Party leaders, including Amit Patkar, Yuri Alemao, Francisco Sardinha and others apparently had no answer to the query, with the PCC Chief only promising that their sentiments will be conveyed to the party High Command.
The question assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that lobbying is underway in certain quarters to depart from the time-tested norm of fielding a candidate from the minority community in South and member of the majority community in North Goa. The question further assumes significance against the backdrop of reports that ex-GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar is keen in throwing his hat in the South Goa election ring in the 2024 LS polls.
One of the party workers demanded that the party announce the candidate in advance so that they start the election campaign in right earnest. The name of sitting MP Francisco Sardinha was suggested for the party ticket by a worker, even as the worker said Capt. Viriato Fernandes is also capable to shoulder the responsibility, but can wait for some time.
The Congress leaders including Amit and Yuri slammed the BJP government for its failures on various front. The duo gave a call to the people of Goa to teach a befitting lesson to the double engine government in the 2024 polls.
