PANAJI
Congress MLA Rudolf Fernandes, on Saturday, may have just let the cat out of the bag, vis-a-vis the appointment of Leader of Opposition in the State assembly, even as party leaders claimed they were unaware about who would be occupying the hot seat in the Opposition benches.
Former Chief Minister and ex-Leader of Opposition in the last assembly Digambar Kamat claimed that the decision was up to the party High Command and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said that he too was willing to take up the position, while speaking to reporters at the State legislative assembly complex on Saturday.
Fernandes, who was present at a meeting of Opposition MLAs at the state legislative assembly complex, however may have just spilled the beans vis-a-vis the LoP issue.
When asked who the Leader of Opposition was likely to be, Fernandes said: "Our old person. And it will be the same".
When asked if it would be Digambar Kamat, Fernandes said: "There has been a conversation between us. It is all amongst us. A decision will be formally revealed soon".
Kamat, however, claimed that there was still no clarity on the appointment, adding that the decision would be taken by the party High Command.
"It will happen according to Congress procedure. (Rajni) Patil was here. She will submit a report. Then they (High Command) will decide," Digambar Kamat told reporters. Patil was appointed by the All India Congress Committee to review the failure of the Congress party to win the 2022 Assembly polls.
In the race for the Leader of Opposition post, Kamat may face competition from former Ports Minister Michael Lobo, who has said that he was also willing to take up the position, if it was offered to him.
"That is purely on the party. I cannot comment directly. If given (LoP post) I am ready to accept it and hold the fort in the Assembly and outside. We will strongly work for the people of Goa," Lobo said.
When asked to comment on the delay in finalising the appointment of a Leader of Opposition, Lobo said: "The swearing-in ceremony of the CM is more important than the Leader of Opposition (situation). By the time Assembly starts the post of LoP will be finalised," Lobo said, adding that a meeting would be held in Delhi on Saturday to finalise the occupant of the leader of Opposition position.
