MARGAO
Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai’s remarks that he can take over the Congress party if he wants to do so has created a flutter in the main opposition party, but Congress leaders preferred to go easy on the Fatoda MLA.
Taken aback by Sardesai’s statement to the media on Monday, some of the Congress veterans are believed to have drawn the attention of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Chief Girish Chodankar and other leaders, demanding that the party leadership rebuff the claims made by the Goa Forward Chief.
A senior Congress functionary told The Goan that he has told the GPCC Chief not to remain a mute spectator and hit back at Sardesai for his insulting remarks. “How can Sardesai say that he can take over the Congress party tonight if he wants to do so. This is totally unacceptable. Our party leaders should reply and clear the public perception about the Congress party,” the senior Congress leader told The Goan.
When The Goan contacted the GPCC Chief to shed light on Sardesai’s remark, Chodankar only said that the party leadership will give an appropriate reply to the statement in a day or two. “We have taken cognizance of Sardesai’s remarks and the party leaders will react accordingly,” he said.
Questions are raised why the Congress leadership, including the GPCC chief and Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat were not quick in replying to the Goa Forward Chief.
A senior Congressman said party leaders should also clarify whether the Congress leadership is in touch with the Goa Forward Chief and place before the party workers the nature of discussions between the party and the Fatorda MLA.
While inducting ex-Ponda Municipal Council Chairperson Venkatesh Naik in the Goa Forward party on Monday, Sardesai had said that he does not want to target or damage the Congress party in deference to the public sentiments favouring an alliance of all like-minded parties.
He then said that he knows enough number of Congressmen and can even take over the Congress party tonight if he wants to. “My relations are there with the Congress leaders. I have not touched the Congress in the hope that public sentiment is respected. We are not in alliance with the Congress, but what people want has to be respected,” Sardesai had stated.
