MAPUSA
The North Goa District Congress Committee, President, Vijay Bhike on Saturday said only Congress can save Goa and the decision to have an alliance with other opposition parties will be decided by the people of the State.
“Several political parties want to have an alliance with Congress. They know that Congress has a base in every constituency and therefore want to tie-up with us. We will take the opinion of the people of Goa and only then decide whether to go for an alliance or not,” Bhike said.
The North Goa District Congress Committee was addressing the media after holding a discussion with district committee members and block presidents from North Goa on the upcoming AICC outreach programme on inflation, fuel price hike and other basic necessities.
The North Goa District Congress Committee has decided to hold a cycle yatra on July 16 in protest against fuel price rise from Panaji to Mapusa. The GPCC President, PCC members, all executive members along with party workers will join the yatra.
Speaking further, Bhike said people of Goa have high expectations of the Congress as it was the only party that can save Goa from several problems that the State and the country was going through.
He said the party was totally united and there were no differences among any section of the party.
“Yes, there is a difference of opinions among leaders. We are a democratic party and each one is free to express his or her opinion in the party,” he said, when questioned about South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha’s demand to sack Girish Chodankar as the party president.
He said AICC in-charge for Goa, Dinesh Gundu Rao has had discussions with every section of the party leaders in the State.
Bhike said Congress workers were in the forefront helping the people during the Covid pandemic.
“Congress party distributed oxygen to those in need. Even in 2020, Congress workers and all our frontal organisations worked to help people. We did not differentiate on party affiliations,” he said.
PCC member Sudin Naik said the BJP took advantage to carry out their propaganda even in the worst situation.
“Even when the Covid was on a rampage, the BJP created differences among the people and helped only their supporters,” Naik said.
GPCC Secretary, Anand Naik, Vice President, Chandan Mandrekar, Virendra shirodkar, Nazir Baig, General Secretary, Bholanath Ghadi and various block presidents were present.
