the goan I network
PANAJI
After a see-saw battle between the Congress Legislative Party and the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee over contesting the ensuing zilla elections on party lines, the Congress finally decided that the party would field candidates on the party banner. The formal decision would, however, be announced on Wednesday.
After a two-hour stormy meeting, party stalwarts finally came to a consensus that the Congress would contest zilla panchayat polls on
party lines.
It may be recalled that the CLP, the GPCC and the Youth Congress were at odds and dissensions in the Opposition party surfaced in the open with several leaders, particularly the younger ones expressing displeasure and their stiff opposition to the CLP decision.
Many of the younger Congressmen, mostly drawn from the organization and known to be close to Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president, Girish Chodankar, felt that the strong anti-government sentiment currently visible in the State will benefit the party and the election should be fought officially on finally arrived at a consensus that we should contest the elections on party lines”.
“No one at the meeting opposed the view of contesting elections on party lines. The reason why CLP was earlier against contesting on party lines was because there were many leaders in each constituency who were interested in contesting elections on the ‘hand’ symbol, he said.
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, GPCC President Girish Chodankar, Mahila Congress President Pratima Coutino, Youth Congress, NSUI and other leaders were present for the meeting.
Kamat however said, the Chodankar has been given the authority to decide... He will decide on the issue and his decision will be final.
He further said that there were no differences in the party over contesting elections on party lines. “Only some members had a different view which was deliberated at the meeting”, he said.
Zilla elections will be held on March 22 and filing of nominations will commence from February 27.
