the goan I network
MARGAO
Ahead of the Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting of the Congress scheduled in the national capital on March 16, members of the Congress cadre from South Goa called on GPCC chief Girish Chodankar why he has agreed to contest from the North Goa seat when he is hailing from South Goa.
In another development, Mahila Congress chief Pratima Coutinho, who has been shortlisted along with former MP Francisco Sardinha as a candidate for the South Goa Lok Sabha constituency, has landed in Delhi ahead of the March 16 meeting.
Around 20-25 members of the Congress cadre from South Goa on Thursday evening called on the GPCC chief demanding to know why he has agreed to contest from North Goa when South Goa is his home constituency.
While demanding that the ticket should be given to the cadre and party men, who has in the past worked for the organisation, the delegation pointed out that the GPCC chief should have contested from South Goa.
The latest development assumes significance as it comes against the backdrop of reports that the Congress High Command may finally contest from South Goa constituency.
A member of the delegation pointed out that Chodankar had explained to the members that he has respected the sentiments of the people from South Goa, who were in favour of maintaining the status quo that a minority candidate should be fielded in the constituency. The GPCC chief, however, is believed to have told the delegation that he would convey their sentiments to the party High Command, while making clear that he would go by the decision of the party leadership in Delhi on the selection of candidates. Sources in the know informed that the delegation did not express any reservation over the candidature of Pratima Coutinho and Francisco Sardinha, only saying that the ticket for the South Goa seat should be given to party men who have worked for the party in the past.
Meanwhile, contender for the South Goa seat, Mahila Congress chief Pratima Coutinho has landed in Delhi ahead of the Congress’ Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting scheduled on March 16.
The names of Pratima and former MP Francisco Sardinha have been shortlisted by the Congress’ screening panel before the names were submitted to the CEC for a
final call.
