Gundu Rao refuses to comment on Mhadei, says matter is sub-judice

PANAJI
Newly appointed Indian National Congress Goa desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao, who is presently on his first visit to the State since taking over the responsibility, on Saturday refused to comment on the Mhadei water issue saying that the matter is presently sub-judice.

Commenting on the Mhadei water dispute at a press conference at Congress House on Saturday, Gundu Rao stated, “I am saying that it is a sub-judice matter. Each State will fight for its rights. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have Cauvery Water dispute. It is the duty of each State to fight for its own rights. In a democracy, either the Prime Minister becomes an adjudicator and settles the matter amicably, which PM Modi did not do or the judiciary rules in the matter.”

The newly appointed Congress Goa desk in-charge also commented on the controversial proposal of coal transportation in Goa. “CLP leaders and Congressmen have already said that this project is not for Goa. It will cause a lot of problems for Goans and for the environment here. This is a sellout to help a particular company. I am not sure if Goa’s Chief Minister supports this. No Goan should be supporting it. He must be supporting it because of pressure from the Prime Minister, who is the best of friends with this company owner,” he said.

The senior national Congress leader further said that his vision is for the Congress to win all 40 constituencies in Goa. Elaborating on this, Gundu Rao informed that he intends to strengthen the Congress booth committees by November 30. In December, these booth members will be trained in political management, Goa’s issues and to prepare them for the upcoming battle. GPCC will also be reorganised to make it more effective. Awareness creation programmes have been lined up in November. 

“We cannot align with people who have compromised themselves for their personal gains. They are still our MLAs, holding our symbol. If they go and join another party, they are morally and ethically bankrupt. They should have resigned and gone. Local party workers and leaders have resolved never to interact with them anymore,” he stated ruling out any pre-poll alignment at this stage as well as the return of the 10 Congress MLAs who joined the BJP.

Since Friday, Gundu Rao has interacted with the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee office bearers, all Congress block and district presidents, senior leaders and the elected representatives of Congress.