MARGAO
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Amit Patkar on Wednesday took the platform of Congress Foundation Day to send a message to the rank and file that the party will move forward in the State with a blend of youth and experience.
He also took potshots at the eight Congress defectors, saying they have all moved out of the party to embrace the BJP for their self development. And, he showered praises on the remaining three MLAs, who stood behind the party despite offers and pressures from the ruling side to switch parties.
Speaking at the Congress Foundation Day at the South Goa district party office on Wednesday, Patkar said the party has a good future in the state, exuding confidence that the party can win both the Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 polls.
“Everyone is talking about the eight MLAs who defected to the BJP. But, we need to appreciate the remaining three MLAs, who have stood with the party by withstanding all pressures”, he said, adding that the three MLAs have proved that they can usher development in their constituencies despite remaining in the opposition.
Saying the party had decided to move forward with a mixture of youth and experience, Patkar said the party can win both the Lok Sabha seats if the party rank and file fan across all the 40 Assembly constituencies in the next one year and half.
He said the party leadership has made it amply clear that those holding positions in the party, right from the state president to the Block president, should either perform or perish. “The performance of the party president to the district president and the block president will be assessed by the party high command every six months. Those who fail to deliver will perish”, he said.
South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, party senior vice-presdient M K Sheikh, South Goa district president Savio D’Silva and others also spoke. The party honoured Congressmen in recognition of their work for the party over the years.
