the goan I network
MARGAO
The Congress has welcomed the decision arrived at a meeting of Dakshinayan Abhiyan earlier this week that a common candidate should be fielded to take on the BJP for the South Goa seat, but the party leadership made it clear that the choice of candidate is decided by the party by following a laid down process.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Chief Girish Chodankar told The Goan that it is a welcome sign that the citizens have trust and faith in the Congress that the party has the capability to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha election.
“It is a very positive and welcome sign emanating from the Dakshinayan Abhiyan programme when some members, including professionals gave a call to field a common candidate against the BJP in the ensuing Lok Sabha election,” Girish said.
He pointed that not only the people of Goa, but citizens from the rest of the country have begun to realize how the ruling government at the Centre has left institutions destroyed and is posing a threat to democracy, justice and free speech.
When his attention was drawn to the shortlisting of a candidate for the South Goa seat with the Dakshinayan Abhiyan virtually recommending the name of High Court lawyer, Adv Cleofato Coutinho to contest the coming polls on the Congress banner, Girish tried to play safe on the party candidate for the Lok Sabha seat.
“As far as the party candidate is concerned, the Congress party follows a laid down procedure for selection of candidate,” he said.
He, however, reminded that Congress president Rahul Gandhi has invited professionals to join the Congress party in order to infuse young blood in the organization. “Our party president Rahul Gandhi has thrown open the doors of the party to professionals and good and clean people,” he said.
Will decide on candidature when time comes: Adv Cleofato
MARGAO: High Court lawyer and political commentator, Adv Cleofato Coutinho has declined to comment on the recommendations made at the Dakshinayan Abhiyan program that the Congress party should field him as the party candidate for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat.
“I have nothing to say as I really do not know what has transpired at the meeting of Dakshinayan Abhiyan,” Cleofato said, adding “Let’s wait and see. I will cross the bridge when it comes.”
Adv Cleofato’s name figured at the program Vision 2019 Lok Sabha election organized by Dakshinayan Abhiyan at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao earlier this week when city-based eminent cardiologist Dr Francisco Colaco suggested the city-based lawyer’s name for the Congress ticket.
Adv Cleofato’s candidature received backing from Goa Forward leader Mohandas Lolienkar and UGDP senior leader Adv Radharao Gracias, who while addressing the programme in their individual capacities had backed Adv Cleofato for the Congress ticket.
Dakshiyanan Abhiyan president Datta Naik had later announced that the deliberations of the programme, including Adv Cleofato’s name for the ticket, will be conveyed to the Congress leadership.
