Girish returns as GPCC chief as party balances caste-community equations; Yuri gets campaign command; three working presidents appointed
MARGAO
Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Girish Chodankar has returned to the helm of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), marking a significant reshuffle within the party’s State unit.
His reappointment has not only brought an end to Amit Patkar’s tenure as GPCC president but has also strengthened the position of leaders who had backed Patkar’s removal.
A close look at the appointment order issued by Congress general secretary K C Venugopal indicates that the party leadership has attempted to strike a delicate communal balance while undertaking social engineering within the organisation. Party sources, however, said that considerable importance has been accorded to the Congress Legislative Party in the new power structure.
The development assumes significance against the backdrop of criticism directed at the Girish Chodankar-Digambar Kamat leadership following the Congress’ disappointing performance in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections. At the time, Chodankar served as GPCC president while Digambar Kamat was the Leader of the Opposition.
Critics within the party had argued that the Congress lacked a strong minority face during the 2022 campaign, adversely impacting its prospects in minority-dominated constituencies. As a result, the party managed to win only three seats in Salcete, while the Aam Aadmi Party and an Independent candidate secured three other crucial constituencies in the minority-dominated taluka.
Three working presidents appointed
While reinstating Girish Chodankar as the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president, the Congress high command has also appointed as many as three working presidents — MLAs Altone D’Costa and Carlos Alvares Ferreira, along with senior vice-president M K Shaikh. This is perhaps the first time that the party has named three working presidents in Goa ahead of an Assembly election.
Beyond the numbers, the appointments carry significant political weight. Veteran leader Shaikh and the two MLAs, all of whom have at various times been critical of outgoing GPCC chief Amit Patkar, have been accommodated in key organisational positions.
Congress sources said the high command had initially considered appointing Shaikh as the sole working president. However, the leadership later realised that there would be no Catholic representation among the three key organisational posts of president, working president and treasurer. This reportedly prompted the induction of Altone D’Costa and Carlos Alvares Ferreira as working presidents, ensuring broader community representation within the party’s top structure.
The Congress high command has also accommodated Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao by appointing him Chairperson of the party’s Campaign Committee. The move effectively places Alemao at the forefront of the Congress campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections alongside newly appointed GPCC president Girish Chodankar.
Party insiders interpret the appointment as a clear signal from the high command for Alemao to take charge of the party’s election preparations and play a leading role in its bid to return to power. The position is seen as recognition of his stature within the party and his role as Leader of Opposition.
Sources further noted that the responsibility entrusted to Alemao is expected to satisfy his long-expressed desire to lead the Congress into the next Assembly elections. As chairperson of the campaign committee, he is likely to play a pivotal role in shaping the party’s electoral strategy and coordinating its Statewide campaign.
City businessman Datta Naik named treasurer
The Congress high command has entrusted the crucial post of party treasurer to city-based businessman and thinker Datta Naik. Party sources say the appointment reflects the leadership’s attempt at social balancing within the newly constituted organisational structure.
Sources say Naik’s induction completes a carefully crafted representation matrix within the party hierarchy, with GPCC president Girish Chodankar representing the Hindu Bhandari community, working president M K Sheikh providing Muslim representation, and Datta Naik bringing in Saraswat representation. The party’s Christian face is represented through Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and working presidents Altone D’Costa and Carlos Alvares Ferreira and MP Viriato Fernandes as Chairperson of Manifesto Committee.
Naik’s appointment assumes added significance in the backdrop of emerging political developments in Margao. His son, Chirag Naik, is reportedly preparing to take on PWD Minister Digambar Kamat in the constituency.
Viriato Fernandes heads manifesto committee
South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes is the lone leader from the rival camp to find a place in the reconstituted Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), having been appointed Chairperson of the party’s Manifesto Committee.
Party sources, however, downplayed the significance of the assignment, describing it as largely organisational in nature and less influential compared to other key positions announced by the high command. Insiders point out that the post does not carry a major role in the party’s decision-making process, particularly on crucial matters such as the selection and allotment of tickets for Assembly candidates.
