MARGAO
Senior Congress leaders had an one-on-one interaction with Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Thursday, as the Congress leader obtained feedback from the party seniors over the party’s state of affairs ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections.
During the interaction, various issues, including strengthening the party structures, alliances, besides change in leadership was discussed with Rahul Gandhi individually, sources said.
Sources said senior party leaders, who had in the past demanded change in GPCC leadership are believed to have insisted on a change in guard in the Goa Congress. They are believed to have insisted that the party take note of social engineering, more so when the Aam Admi Party is bracing up to make inroads in minority areas.
Another strong votary of change in guard is reported to have conveyed to Rahul Gandhi that the party may not come to power if the Congress goes to the polls with the status quo.
AICC in-charge, Goa Dinesh Gundu Rao, on the other hand, issued a release from the national capital stating Rahul Gandhi met senior leaders from Goa and told them to work unitedly and to promote young and new faces to win the Assembly elections and fulfill the popular wishes of Goans by defeating undemocratic, unconstitutional and communal forces in Goa.
Dinesh further stated in the press release that the meeting also discussed the political situation in the State and various strategies have also been discussed to ensure the victory of Congress in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Goa.
Goa PCC President Girish Chodankar, CLP Leader Digambar Kamat, former Chief Minister Luizinho Falerio, MP Francisco Sardinha, former Union Minister Adv Ramakant Khalap, MLA Alex Reginaldo Lawrenco are believed to have had an interaction with Rahul Gandhi individually.
AICC General Secretary in-charge, K C Venugopal and AICC In-charge of Goa Dinesh Gundu Rao were present.
Sources said senior leaders including Luizinho Faleiro, MP Francisco Sardinha and three-time MLA Reginaldo Lourenco who had been vocal, demanding a change in GPCC leadership, are believed to have briefed Rahul Gandhi on the party affairs and why the party should go in for a change in leadership.
The anti-Girish camp are believed to have stressed on social engineering, fearing that rivals such as AAP may capitalize on a situation for want of a minority face.
They informed that Rahul Gandhi listened to what they had to say on the issues plaguing the Goa Congress, hoping that he will take the right decision keeping in mind the need to strengthen the party and to meet the challenges.
“I have conveyed to Rahul Gandhi what I wanted to convey over the leadership”, informed MP Sardinha, indicating that he has called for a change in the GPCC leadership.
Three-time MLA and vice-Chairman of the Congress Coordination panel, Reginaldo Lourenco minced no words in saying that he has impressed upon Rahul Gandhi why there should be a change in GPCC leadership before the Assembly polls.
On the other hand, Co-ordination Committee Chairman, Ramakant Khalap said he briefed Rahul on various aspects of the party, including the need to revamp the structure, while saying he has neither demanded nor opposed change in leadership.
Khalap told local media that he expects the Congress leadership to take a call on the Goa party affairs within a fortnight so that the party goes into the election mode.
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat pointed out that the party leaders individually discussed with Gandhi issues facing the party, adding that the party would take a decision on the leadership after assessing the situation.
