the goan I network
MARGAO
With the regional outfit showing clear signs of expanding the party base across the State, including the State’s mining belt, the Goa Forward party has expanded its State Executive with the induction of many new faces and has appointed former Congress MLAs Victor Gonsalves and Farrel Furtado as the convenors of North and South Goa district respectively.
Former Congressman Santosh Kumar Sawant, who had embraced the regional party as a Joint Secretary, outgoing OSDs Dilip Prabhudesai and Durgadas Kamat have found a place on the State Executive, along with party leader Prashant Naik.
The expansion of the State Executive was followed by assignment of various responsibilities to the new executive members.
While Mohandas Lolienkar stays put as the general secretary, the vice-presidents includes Anastasio Monserrate, Trajano D’Mello, Renuka Da Silva, Akbar Mulla and Durgadas Kamat.
Dilip Prabhudesai is the new Vice President, while Prashant Naik has come on the State Executive Committee as the general secretary (Organisation).
Suraj Lotlikar, a close aided of Goa Forward supremo and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, occupies the post of party treasurer, while the party two Ministers Jayesh Salgaonkar and Vinoda Paliencar along with Anthony Rodrigues, Victor Gonsalves, Farrel Furtado e Gracias, Damodar Panandikar, Nolan Antao, Florence Tito Cardozo, Nissar Subedar, Rajmohan Shetye, Ramnath Bale, Sushant Ghodge have been inducted as members. Sardesai’s right hand man, Joao Nicolau Crasto finds a place on the State Executive as joint secretary.
While Victor Gonsalves will head the North Goa district as the convenor, Farrel Furtado e Gracias will head similar position as South Goa district convenor.
Trajan D’Mello has been appointed as the chief spokesperson, Jayesh Salgaonkar and Vinoda Paliencar will head the party youth wing and the OBC cell. Margao Municipal Council Vice-Chairperson Tito Cardozo and son of former Congress Minister, Luis Alex Cardozo will head the party ST/SC cell. Durgadas Kamat is the new convenor of the party IT Cell.
Goa Forward president Vijai Sardesai had got both Durgadas Kamat and Dilip Prabhudesai to resign as OSD to the Fisheries Minister and TCP Minister respectively some months ago to use their services in strengthening the party organisation.
Newly-appointed Party general secretary (Organisation) Prashant Naik said the expansion of the party State Executive was expected as the party has geared up to expand the party base across the State. He admitted that persons who have joined the regional party have all been accommodated in the State Executive.
