MAPUSA
While expressing his disappointment after losing the race for the Congress ticket for the North Goa parliamentary seat, General Secretary of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), Vijay Bhike affirmed his unwavering allegiance to the Congress party and pledged to work diligently to thwart the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“If there is an election or not, I will always be with the Congress party. I am always there to speak against any policies or decisions that go against the common man. We will all work to defeat the BJP,” Bhike told The Goan.
Following the announcement of former Union Minister Ramakant Khalap as the party's candidate for North Goa, Bhike noticeably withdrew from the forefront of party activities. Despite his earlier active involvement in the party's campaign efforts, Bhike's absence became conspicuous.
The GPCC General Secretary, who had initiated campaign activities across several constituencies even before the official ticket announcement, expressed disappointment over the lack of vocal opposition to the BJP by the chosen candidate over the years. He also highlighted the candidate's perceived inactivity within party affairs.
Reflecting on his grievances, Bhike disclosed that he had conveyed his concerns to Manickrao Thakre, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Goa, during Thakre's recent visit to his residence on his birthday.
Despite his disappointment, Bhike emphasised his readiness to set aside any bitterness and collaborate towards the victory of the Congress party and the defeat of the BJP.
However, he noted the absence of invitations from both the party's candidate and the State party president during the launch of the campaign for the North Goa Lok Sabha elections.
Cong entrusts key roles to Bhike
In a notable turn of events, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has bestowed significant responsibilities upon General Secretary Vijay Bhike, despite his earlier detachment from the North Goa parliamentary election campaign.
Bhike's appointment as the party in-charge for the Mapusa constituency underscores the party's confidence in his leadership abilities and strategic acumen.
Additionally, he has been entrusted with roles in various pivotal committees, including the campaign committee, media and communication and as one of the key speakers for the seamless execution of the Lok Sabha election campaign.
This elevation signifies the party's recognition of Bhike's contributions and his potential to effectively mobilise support and drive the party's agenda forward.
It also reflects the Congress party's commitment to harnessing the talents of its members across diverse spheres to ensure a cohesive and formidable campaign in the upcoming elections.
