PERNEM
The Congress party workers’ meeting in Pernem witnessed chaotic moments after workers demanded announcement of the candidate for 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
According to reports, when Congress Goa in-charge Dr Chellakumar was addressing the meet, a group backed by a ticket aspirant came forward and demanded ticket to their leader. However, another group of party workers bitterly opposed it.
A former Pernem Block Congress president Ramesh Shetye accused his own party of accepting bribe while announcing names of candidates.
Pacifying irate party workers, Dr Chellakumar said it was time to start strengthening Congress in every nook and corner of Goa.
“No leader is bigger than the party. The leader who has the capability of winning will be given the ticket. One vote also counts and party workers should start working now,” Chellkumar added.
Speaking further, he stated that the functioning of Con gress in Pernem taluka was disciplined. “Congress party respects each and every worker. Congress President Rahul Gandhi gives right to each and everyone to elect their leader. Our party believes in democracy and those who want to contest should show their winning strength,” stated Dr Chellakumar.
Goa Congress President Girish Chodankar said Congress party works 365 days without keeping an eye on elections.
“When it comes to announcing a candidate, Congress local block committee suggests namesto North Goa committee after which it is forwarded to State election committee and then over to Central Election Committee. After hearing suggestions at all levels, the party then announces the name of the candidate,” he explained.
A group of party workers led by a ticket aspirant submitted a memorandum to Chellakumar and Chodankar demanding ticket for their leader in the LS elections.
Tivim MLA Nilkant Halarnkar, former union minister Ramakant Khalap, former MLA Jitendra Deshprabhu, North Goa Congress President Vijay Bhike, General Secretary Subhash Kerkar, Pernem Block Congress President Umesh Talvnekar, Vice-president Dasharath Mahale and others were present.
