PANAJI
All India Congress Committee secretary in-charge of Goa desk Dr A Chellakumar has declared that Congress Panaji bypoll candidate Girish Chodankar could be a strong candidate for the Chief Ministerial office if he succeeds in defeating CM Manohar Parrikar.
Speaking to The Goan, Chellakumar stated, "If elected, Girish will be a very strong candidate within the Congress Legislative Party for the post of CM. I will be very happy to see him as the CM although the decision is ultimately made by the CLP and is announced by the party high command."
Chellakumar argued that Chodankar's strength lies in the fact that he has worked his way up from the party grassroots all the way to the post of AICC secretary. "He has knowledge about the national politics and also about Goan politics. He has always stood by secular principles and has been a strong critic of the BJP. He is experienced and knows what is good for Goan people," Chellakumar pointed out.
Meanwhile, senior Congressman and former Union Minister for Law Ramakant Khalap also hinted that Chodankar could be considered for the chair of Chief Minister if Congress gets a second shot at forming the government.
Khalap expressed confidence that Congress will win both Panaji and Valpoi bypolls and that following the defeat of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in Panaji, Congress will form the government.
"I feel we will form the next government. We are confident of winning in both these constituencies. Once Parrikar is defeated, Congress has many leaders to replace him. It could be anyone," he stated.
Responding to a query about a Chief Ministerial candidate of the party, Khalap hinted that Chodankar could be one among the many leaders who will run for the top job. "Why not Girish? Nobody can nominate a CM. Our MLAs elect our CM. Congress boasts that it has more than one leader. This is where democracy is in full bloom. Hegemony of one person shouldn't be the guiding principle. Can the BJP boast of a vast leadership?" Khalap hinted.
